The Winnipeg Jets moved back into first in the Central Division with a win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The game was a thrilling back and forth affair that ended in overtime when
First Period:
The Winnipeg Jets started this game fairly well as did the Tampa Bay Lightning. Both teams looked locked in to start the game. Ondrej Vasilevskiy was a difference maker early on for the Lightning and helped the Lightning keep the game tied at zero. About half way through the period, Dustin Byfuglien took a penalty and the Lightning made them pay with a pretty goal from Alex Killorn off of a late change from the Jets. The Jets responded at the end of the period with Mathieu Perreault scoring a very Matty P. goal.
Second Period:
The second period looked a lot like the first. The Jets were the first team to get on the board about 10 minutes in when Brandon Tanev scored a goal. It’s a Christmas miracle. Steven Stamkos answered almost immediately with a shot that should remind everyone how deadly of a goal-scorer he is and how he probably deserves much more attention from the media than he is getting. More hockey happened and it remained highly entertaining until the Lightning to their second lead of the game on a goal from Tyler Johnson. Fun fact: Johnson became a NHLer when Steven Stamkos had a bad run of injuries. Sometimes all it takes is a break.
At the end of the period, Nikolaj Ehlers scored on a pretty passing play that his reunited line set up. Who knew that Ehlers, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler would be a good line for the Jets. It’s funny that when the Jets break up the best friends and let them play with players who better fit their style, every line is better for it.
Third Period and Overtime:
Once again the Winnipeg Jets and Tampa Bay Lightning found themselves in an even battle until Mason Appleton made the unfortunate mistake of playing the puck too early on the ice and there was a too many men call against the Jets. Kucherov made the Jets pay for this mistake. However, the Jets refused to give in and Nikolaj Ehlers scored his second of the game on a diving play. The fact Ehlers looks so much better when he is with Wheeler and Scheifele while Connor and Laine look to be solid playing together is a plus for the Jets.
In overtime, the two teams traded chances until near the end of overtime everyone’s favourite set up man took a shot and while Vasilevskiy made the initial save on Laine and Scheifele followed up on the rebound with a beautiful goal to win the game.
Cheers:
- Nikolaj Ehlers is looking good alongside Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. Same with Kyle Connor with the Bryan Little/Patrik Laine duo. Hopefully they stay together.
- The entertainment value of this game was A+ and who cares if the coaches hated it although I did not read their post-game comments.
Jeers:
- Eh, it was a fun game and there was nothing to complain about.
