Following scratch, Jets' Schmidt puts 'a good foot forward' in OT loss to Sharks

WINNIPEG - This is one of those times when muscle memory can come in handy - even if it’s been quite a while between healthy scratches for Nate Schmidt.

For the Winnipeg Jets defenceman, receiving the news that he wouldn’t be in the lineup for Saturday’s rematch with the Edmonton Oilers wasn’t something he was expecting and was still tough to digest, even though he’d had several meetings with head coach Rick Bowness about the line to elevate his play.

Being on the sidelines and having to watch is no fun for anyone, but Schmidt realizes why the decision was made and he knew why it was important to get back to doing the things he’s good at when he was tapped on the shoulder to suit up on Monday against the San Jose Sharks.

When the head coach asks for more, you need to find a way to provide more, whether you’re an established veteran or someone trying to lock down a regular spot in the lineup.

Schmidt did just that on Monday, providing an important third-period goal as the Jets secured a valuable point before falling 3-2 in overtime to the Sharks on a breakaway goal from Logan Couture at 1:21 of the three-on-three session.

“You look back at some of your past experiences and you have to make sure that you come back in and put a good foot forward because you can’t be feeling sorry for yourself over what happened,” Schmidt said after the morning skate. “This game is a fickle thing sometimes. You’ve always got to make sure that you’re prepared.”

Schmidt backed up those words with actions, skating alongside Dylan Samberg on the third pairing, taking 19 shifts for 15:05 of ice time while being credited with four shots on goal and a blocked shot.

When Schmidt is on his game, he’s moving his feet and making aggressive, confident reads. He’s also getting involved in the offence, whether that’s unloading a shot from the point or joining the rush.

Although Bowness wasn’t prepared to answer a question about whether or not Schmidt would have been in the lineup had Kyle Capobianco not come down with an illness and been unavailable (“Nice try,” said Bowness), Schdmidt was up for the challenge issued by his head coach.

“You’ve brought yourself in the discussion of ‘are you going to play tonight?’ Now you’ve got to play your way out of that discussion,” said Bowness.

Schmidt’s goal was the go-ahead marker and came after a slick pass from Nikolaj Ehlers just after a power-play had expired.

“You know we always talk about possession before position when it comes to the power play. A spot for me that was new, especially going into the bumper,” said Schmidt. “But (Blake Wheeler) and (Nikolaj Ehlers) were around the half wall so, I just kind of have to find the open spot for you to go and just kind of man that area. (Ehlers) makes a great play for me to have a chance there.

“You give your team a chance to win with a couple minutes left in the game.”

The goal wouldn’t stand up as the game-winner though, as the Sharks evened the score with 10.2 seconds to go, leaving the Jets to ponder what might have been had Morweena product James Reimer not finished with 36 saves - including a remarkable right skate save off Morgan Barron on a shorthanded opportunity.

“I mean, we outplayed them. It’s hard when you lose that extra point in overtime. You’re disappointed,” said Bowness, whose team slipped to 35-25-3 going into Wednesday’s Central Division tilt with the Minnesota Wild. “It’s hard to get a good picture right now. Did we play a bad game? Absolutely not. Did we deserve two points? Yeah. But we didn’t get them.”

The Jets other goal came off the stick of Nino Niederreiter, who continues to blend in well with his new team.

“Nino does a lot of stuff really well. Little things that maybe don’t always show up (on the scoresheet),” said Schmidt. “It’s exciting to see that he gets his first. He’s had a lot of good chances. Think he rattled another one off the bar and drew a penalty or two. He’s effective on the forecheck, a big body, you can’t move him when he’s in front of the net.

“He creates a lot of chaos, and as a defenceman it’s tough to play against when he’s got his big wide frame boxing you out. Whether it’s in the corner or down low he really does create a lot of space for the other guys that he’s playing with and for the D. He sucks other guys into him which makes it a lot easier for us to find some of the areas that he’s now created with his space and with his body movement. He’s been getting better every game he’s been with us.”

Niederreiter’s goal was the 200th of his career and he’s one point shy of his 400th point.

“Hope I’m not going to stop here, I’m trying to get more and more,” said Niederreiter. “It’s definitely a great mark and I’m definitely proud of it but hopefully there’s more to come.”