New YORK -- The Winnipeg Jets came out firing haymakers in their first two games, dropping the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils with some big-time punches straight to the mugs.
But matched up against an Eastern Conference heavyweight Monday in Brooklyn, they were bloodied and bruised in a 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders.
And it doesn't get any easier, what with the second of back-to-back contests going tonight at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers, another contender.
Step 1 in getting up off the mat?
"Getting a little angry at how it went," said Jets captain Andrew Ladd.