The Winnipeg Jets finished off their 100 three game series against the Ottawa Senators tonight on the same day the team traded Patrik Laine for Pierre-Luc Dubois (more on that tomorrow). Connor Hellebuyck looked a little off tonight and let in a few stinkers. That happens and he will surely bounce back as he always has. The Jets looked like a team that sent Ville Heinola down to the taxi squad for no reason instead of scratching Nathan Beaulieu which is honestly unacceptable IMO. Free Ville!
After all the drama, the game was a game. It had a fight between Nathan Beaulieu and Michael Haley fought and that was close to the most interesting thing that happened in the first period. The game was tame and normal and necessary.
First Period
The Jets came out looking okay. They looked slow and the Sens took advantage of that. Nick Paul’s name came up a lot and Marcus Hogberg held steady with only six shots against. Connor Hellebuyck was marginally busier (and also better) as he faced nine shots, but both goalies looked fine.
The Jets lone goal came from Nikolaj Ehlers who scored on a one-timer on the power play. It was reminiscent of many goals scored by former Jet and current best friend of Nikolaj, Patrik Laine. A fitting tribute to his buddy. Jets played out the rest of the period decently and left it with a one goal lead.
Second Period
You know when things just start to fall apart and you can pick at a million different reasons as to why? That was the second period. Logan Stanley was exposed for his weaknesses, but only after he threw a very nice hit on Michael Haley, and Connor Hellebucyk forgot that he is a Vezina-winning goalie. One the other hand, the Jets came out of the period only down by one goal in a period where they collectively did not look great. You take the wins that you can.
Third Period
The Jets absolutely turned it on and were able to take it to the Sens all period. The impact of their play only really came out in the final ten minutes of play when they scored two goals to break the tie and then an empty netter for good luck. Let me tell you, the first power play unit could have scored 3-4 times before they actually did via Paul Stastny (who had a nice game). Ehlers had a gorgeous pass to Andrew Copp for a goal and then Mark Scheifele finished it off with a great empty netter. Not a bad night.
Weird Thoughts
- Forbort sounds an awful lot like Thorburn so apologies for anyone who like me thinks that Derek Forbort is Chris Thorburn and breaks out in a cold sweat.
- Harnarayan Singh is really good at play-by-play. Rogers has a great number 2 to Chris Cuthbert. I look forward to hearing more of him.
- Hockey made me cry many times today and the win felt good.
