The Winnipeg Jets were back at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday evening to try to extend their winning streak versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. Can they remain undefeated in regulation against Eastern Conference teams? Let’s find out….
The opening puck drop saw some back and forth play that provided both teams scoring opportunities, but eventually Winnipeg started to control the puck in the offensive zone more often. After Columbus had a rush broken up in the Jets zone, Ehlers skated the puck up the middle of the ice and gained the Jackets’ zone. He then dished the puck off to Dillon as the defenseman was flying down the left wing. The burly defender attempted a cross crease pass to Scheifele, but the puck deflected off a Jackets’ defenseman and by a surprised Tarasov. With a 1-0 lead just 3:12 into the game, Columbus pushed back and spent a few shifts in Winnipeg’s end that included a deflected Sillinger shot ringing off the right post and then a point shot through traffic that made Schmidt clear a net-front rebound just in time. The Jets had a great look when Scheifele set up Appleton for a 1 timer from the face-off circle, but the Blue Jackets replied with some more pressure only to struggle to find shooting lanes. The Jets awoke in the late 1st, as Scheifele almost sprung Vilardi on a breakaway, the Toninato line spent a long time cycling the puck, and Perfetti set up Iafallo for a high-danger 1 timer. Hellebuyck showed he was on his game with a quick pad save as the horn sounded (probably after). With only 15 shots combined in the opening period, the MoneyPuck shot chart doesn’t have many “dots” to mar the ice.
First Period MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 1 to 0 for the Jets, shots 9 to 6 for the Blue Jackets, 56% Deserve To Win for the Jets, Expected Goals – all situations (0.64-0.42 WPG), & 5 on 5 (0.64-0.42 WPG)
A Pionk tripping penalty gave Columbus a prime opportunity to get back into the game, but Winnipeg’s PK absolutely shut the Jacket’s PP down. The teams traded chances back at even strength, with some great defensive plays by the Jets denying rushes from the Blue Jackets. The first was on a long flip stretch pass to rookie Fantilli, but Morrissey was there skating step-for-step with the forward and batted the puck out of the air. Then Vilardi leaves his spot at the point to come back to the low slot to break up a high-danger 1 timer attempt. Winnipeg picked up their pace at this point and really tested Columbus’ defense for the next 4 shifts. After Dillon (who played well all night) set up Appleton for yet another great scoring chance, the Namestnikov line went on the cycle. Samberg ended up with the puck and skated it behind the Jackets’ goal before finding Perfetti in the low right slot for a 1 timer goal. Up two with just under half the game remaining, Winnipeg had a chance to add to their total on the powerplay. Unfortunately, the Peggers didn’t get much going on their 1st attempt and it wasn’t until the teams were back at even-strength before they were successful. A Lowry rush up the ice saw the center dish off to Morrissey on the left wing after gaining the offensive zone. Winnipeg’s top defenseman skated in a bit further before unleashing a howitzer that flew into the top corner to make it 3 to 0. Columbus had two straight PP attempts after that to get back in the game, including a questionable one on an old school hip check by Pionk on Fantilli. Fortunately, the PKers & Hellebuyck combined to keep that zero on the scoreboard, though the Jackets did get some good looks. Check out MoneyPuck’s shot chart after two periods below.
After Two Periods MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 3 to 0 for the Jets, shots 17 to 14 for the Blue Jackets, 61% Deserve to Win for the Blue Jackets, Expected Goals – all situations (1.87-1.17 CLM) & 5 on 5 (1.03-0.98 WPG)
Some early 4 on 4 action in the 3rd period saw Hellebuyck make a highlight reel save when Roslovic set up Texier on the doorstep. Winnipeg had their 2nd PP chance a bit later when Appleton was interfered with as he drove to the net. The man-advantage unit almost set up Iafallo immediately in the low slot, but the pass was too quick and the winger whiffed on the attempt. Later a Morrissey point shot barely caught Tarasov’s shoulder, but once again the Jets failed to score on a powerplay. Who needs PP scoring when a tenacious forecheck by the Namestnikov trio saw the puck pop into the low slot. Perfetti pounced on the loose biscuit and quickly fired it by the Jackets’ tender for his 2nd of the game. A scary moment when a Morrissey point shot was deflected directly into Scheifele’s face, with the center rushing to the dressing room and the arena suddenly becoming very quiet. After AJF was denied on a low slot attempt, Winnipeg got a 3rd PP and this time took advantage. They got set up with Lowry taking Scheifele’s spot and the puck worked its way back to him at the right side of the net. The Jets’ captain quickly sent a pass through the crease and Vilardi made a shifty play to kick the puck to his stick, allowing him to jam his 9th goal of the season by Tarasov. The Blue Jackets pushed to erase the goose egg in the remaining time, but good defense (nice backcheck by #44) and great goaltending (Bucky made a few top-notch saves late in the game) gave Winnipeg a dominant victory.
FINAL SCORE: WINNIPEG JETS 5 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 0
SHOTS: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 29 WINNIPEG JETS 23
Game Observations:
- MoneyPuck Stats: 70% Deserve to Win for the Blue Jackets, 3.35 to 2.12 in expected goals (all situations) for the Blue Jackets, and 1.72 to 1.62 in expected goals (5 on 5) for the Blue Jackets.
- Mark Scheifele picked up his 400th career assist on Winnipeg’s first goal, but only played a smidge over 14 minutes due to taking a puck in the side of the head. Fortunately, the centerman appeared to be okay since he was out there smiling & celebrating with his teammates at the end of game.
- Big night for young Cole Perfetti, picking up a pair of goals on 3 shots and adding an assist as well. His current 29 pts is only one short of his career-high of 30 and has Fetti on pace for a 60 pt season.
- Props to Dylan Samberg, who just seems to be getting better as the year wears on. What a dish from behind the net on Perfetti’s 1st goal and he added a team-high 3 blocks (tied w/ Dylan DeMelo) to his yearly total. Sammie and his partner Nate Schmidt combined for 71% of expected goals when they were on the ice against Columbus.
- Yet again, Winnipeg’s bottom six continued to shine. The 4th line of Morgan Barron, Dominic Toninato, & Axel Jonsson-Fjallby had a team-high for forwards with 70% of expected goals, trailed by the Mason Appleton, Adam Lowry, & Nino Niederreiter trio at 52%.
- Most of the Jets’ centers did well on face-offs versus the Blue Jackets, with only Toninato ending with a below 50% average (14.3%). Lowry, Scheifele, and Vladislav Namestnikov all finished between 53.8% and 55.6%.
- Connor Hellebuyck picked up his 2nd shut-out of the season and the 34th of his NHL career, turning aside all 29 shots he faced (with a little help from a post). Winnipeg’s starter made a few huge saves late in the game to keep Columbus off the scoresheet. Bucky has averaged 4 shut-outs a season over his excellent career, getting that exact number in four campaigns while blanking teams 2 & 6 times in a year twice each.
While Winnipeg allowed over 3 expected goals against versus Columbus, about half of those came on the Jackets three powerplays. The 5 on 5 numbers were pretty even, but with the Jets up in the game early, the offensive push from the home team wasn’t as intense as usual. It was enjoyable to watch a game where Winnipeg had a comfortable lead heading into the 3rd period for once and we’ll see if they can do that against the Connor Bedard-less Hawks as well.
NEXT GAME: Chicago Blackhawks @ Winnipeg Jets – Thursday, January 11th @ 7:00 pm Central
Looking forward to seeing Rasmus Kupari play with the Manitoba Moose tonight as the Jets’ AHL affiliate tries to end a 4 game losing streak. Hopefully Brad Lambert will be back in the lineup after missing the last match due to an illness. The Moose could also expect a boost with the possibility of Ville Heinola going to the minors to get back into game shape.
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