Maurice: Jets need 'average goaltending' to improve

The bar has been set.

In order for the Winnipeg Jets to succeed this season, the team simply needs to get "average goaltending" out of Connor Hellebuyck and new addition Steve Mason, head coach Paul Maurice told TSN.

"In order for them to have that, a couple of things got to happen, maybe three," Maurice added. "We've got to stay out of the penalty box. When we can't stay out of the penalty box, we've got to do a much better job killing penalties."

Maurice may be on to something. Hellebuyck, alongside Michael Hutchinson, allowed 256 goals last season, fourth most in the league. Although it didn't seem to matter how many skaters were on the ice, as Winnipeg allowed the fourth-most goals when on the penalty kill, which was only marginally better than its even-strength rank.

"In our overall five-on-five game, just an adherence to defense and a respect for the defensive part of the game," Maurice added. "Not that we don't have it, but when you're chasing goals and you're chasing the game an awful lot, and you need your goaltender to make that save and you don't get it, then that becomes who you are."

The team hopes its signing of Mason - who spent parts of the past five seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers - can bring a little more stability between the pipes.

"If they (the goalies) can start us at average, we've got to do everything we can to help our goaltenders to get us to the middle of the pack, and then we'll push from there," Maurice added.

Whether or not the change in goal will help the high-flying Jets will be answered soon enough. The team kicks off its season Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Mason getting the nod as the starter.

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