The Winnipeg Jets played the Vegas Golden Knights and while the game felt like a must-win game for the Jets (and they did win), it became a momumental win for them when Patrik Laine scored two goals (and they debuted new lines, bit that is pittance compared to Laine), and there was a special last minute addition to the lineup.
Last minute lineup additions are always welcome and they are especially welcome when they are Nikolaj Ehlers and the Jets are struggling.
First Period
The Jets looked much, much better than they have recently and I am going to attribute that the Ehlers and Ehlers alone. He scored 56 seconds into the game and kept up the good play. As Harrison has mentioned, the Little line in its previous iteration with Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic had no real puck carrier and Laine had taken over that job to his own detriment. With Ehlers coming back and Laine on a line with Scheifele; the Jets offence is starting to look decent.
That brings me to Laine: he looks much better on a line with puck-carriers. While he is still not feeling it, he looks better with Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. Laine might not be “fixed” until next season, but him looking even a bit better is a solid step.
Oh, and the Knights scored near the end on a mid-range shot.
Second Period
The Golden Knights started off looking much better than they did to start the first and they were eventually rewarded with the game tying goal. More stuff happened and then a minor miracle happened: the Jets got a power play. Okay, Patrik Laine scored a power play goal, the heavens opened up, and a monkey was taken off of Laine’s back. It was glorious.
Adam Lowry scored almost right after Laine did with only 3.9 seconds left in the game and again, it was glorious. Everything is so much better now that the dark cloud of Laine not scoring has been lifted.
Third Period
The Golden Knights scored eight seconds into the third, but fear not because our new big-time goal scorer emerged and scored another power play goal. PATRIK LAINE IS BACK, BABY!! He scored another power play goal from his spot and everything is now a little bit brighter.
Andrew Copp iced the game with an empty net goal as the Earth started spinning properly on its axis again because Laine scored two goals. Next up: Arizona Coyotes on Sunday.
Cheers
- PATRIK LAINE SCORING GOALS
- A healthy Nikolaj Ehlers makes most things better
- Sami Niku was on the ice for the Jets first two goals therefore he is the x-factor
Jeers
Not going to bother after a couple of bleak weeks, we have earned some positivity.
