Instant Recap: Winnipeg Jets lose 8-3 to Tampa Bay Lightning; Pavelec, penalty kill woes continue

Recap:

Take the highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference, add in a team in the bottom 4 for goals against, 25 penalty minutes, the worst PK, and their #1 offensive AND defensive defenseman, and you’ve got a recipe for success… for the Tampa Bay Lighting.

The first period started well with Jets‘ sustaining offensive pressure, allowing for Evander Kane to draw an interference penalty from Adam Hall. Unfortunately, the Jets power play came out blank. Then the fun began.

Zach Redmond got tricked into following Vincent Lecavalier behind the net and ended up receiving a holding penalty. The Jets’ penalty kill seemed strong, until Ondrej Pavelec – the team’s most important penalty killer – allowed in the first shot of the game.

Then Chris Thorburn received a five minute major and game misconduct for hitting Sami Salo too hard, which was closely followed by Ron Hainsey shooting a rolling puck straight into the stands within the Jets’ defensive-zone. With 36 seconds left in a two-man advantage remaining, Steven Stamkos buried the puck behind the 2011-12 Winnipeg MVP.

Rinse and repeat. Mark Stuart goes off for cross checking with time still remaining in the major, and Vincent Lecavalier converts to make it 3-0 at the end of the first. Evander Kane also found himself in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct that would bleed into the second. Cory Conacher scored his second of the game. Within five minutes, Pavelec let in his fifth goal in 14 sots, giving Nate Thompson his first of the year. After being replaced by Al Montoya, Teddy Purcell tacked on another Lightning goal.

With the game probably out of reach, Noel gave more ice-time to the Jets’ youth. The Jets played a much stronger third, outshooting the Lightning 12-8 and outscoring them 3-2. Third period goals game from Tobias Enstrom, Paul Postma, Ryan Malone, Andrew Ladd, and Tom Pyatt.

The Jets will now return home to Winnipeg after a very disappointing 0-3-0 road trip – including two games against divisional rivals – and have three days off until hosting the Florida Panthers. Hopefully, Noel really cracks the whip.

Some Thoughts:

In hockey many say your goaltender is your most important penalty killer. Montoya finished the game with a 0.727 SV% and Pavelec, not to be outdone, finished at 0.643 SV%.
The Jets allowed three goals (as well as a fourth that was scored a mere two seconds after Kane’s penalty) in five shorthand situations.
Enstrom, the Jets’ only remaining true top 4 defenseman, finished the game with a goal and two assists, continuing his point streak by being involved in all of the Jets’ points.
Postma matched Enstrom’s production, also scoring a goal and two assists. He looks good offensively and may find a home on the first pairing with Enstrom until Byfuglien’s return.
Redmond finished the game with over twenty minutes of ice time for the second time in his two game NHL career.
Interestingly, Mark Scheifele was on the ice and playing his natural centre position for all three of the Jets’ goals. He didn’t receive any points but was involved in the play and finished with 16:47 TOI.
While it may not be a very telling stat, Blake Wheeler led the way with a team worst -7.
Goaltending aside, the PK actually seemed a lot stronger, being more aggressive while prevent multiple chances against.

Recap:

Some Thoughts:

Talking Points