Niederreiter takes line's benching in stride: 'We didn't deserve to play'

Winnipeg Jets newcomer Nino Niederreiter took ownership after he and the rest of the top line were benched for a significant chunk of Tuesday's loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

"We didn't deserve to play," Niederreiter said, per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press. "We simply weren't good enough."

He added: "We weren't engaged. We weren't doing the job we were supposed to do. We definitely deserved that. (Coach Rick Bowness) made that message pretty clear. We've got to be better. We've got to show up, especially this time of year, and yeah. It was definitely unacceptable."

Niederreiter began the game on the right side of the Jets' top attacking unit with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. The trio was shellacked five-on-five, failing to register a single shot attempt while being on for three goals against.

Carolina finished the game with a 12-0 Corsi advantage up against Niederreiter and Co. while out-chancing them 7-0, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Scheifele and Connor declined to speak after the 5-3 defeat.

The Jets acquired Niederreiter from the Nashville Predators prior to the trade deadline. He's been a terrific fit in Winnipeg so far, registering four goals - including one Tuesday after Winnipeg's lines were jumbled - in eight games.

Winnipeg has won only three of its past 10 contests, and is locked in a fight for playoff seeding in the Western Conference. After their latest loss, the Jets hold the second wild-card spot with 79 points and 14 games remaining.

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