With only two games set for this week, the Winnipeg Jets first had to focus on a Tuesday evening match versus the New York Islanders. The Jets received some good news when sniper Kyle Connor returned to the lineup, yet two of the better goaltenders in the NHL (Connor Hellebuyck & Ilya Sorokin) would be trying to limit the number of red lights in the game. Rick Bowness and his coaching staff came up with the following lines for the match:
When the puck dropped, it was the NY Islanders who began the hunt for an opening goal as they spent a couple shifts in Winnipeg’s end. Thanks to one big save by Hellebuyck, the Jets kept the game scoreless and attempted some offense of their own…Kupari intercepts pass and tests Sorokin, Barron 1 timer from the low slot, 2nd line cycle with point shot from Schmidt, and a Toninato rush up the right wing for a shot from the face-off dot. The franchises traded cycle shifts, but neither squad could severely test the goalies. The Jets’ top line gained the offensive zone as the period neared the middle point and Winnipeg took the lead when Vilardi was able to tip a Morrissey point shot from just in front of the Isles’ tender. The wingers’ 11th marker of the season gave his team a bit of a cushion, but New York had a great chance to tie things up when a Jets’ defensive turnover resulted in a quality look from the low slot. Hellebuyck was able to deny the opportunity, but DeMelo picked up a tripping penalty while trying to clear the front of the net. Winnipeg effectively killed off the early part of the man-advantage, but the Islanders were able to pressure in the latter moments of the PP. Just as the Jets’ defender stepped out of the box, a 1 timer from Rielly was deflected by Lee, sending the puck by Bucky’s glove to tie things up with 4 minutes to play. Winnipeg got a PP of their own when Pionk was hauled down and while the Jets did get some looks (2 shots on net), the period ended with the squads deadlocked. The shot chart from MoneyPuck shows the Jets with a slight edge in chances, but the Isles also had their looks.
First Period MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 1 to 1 tie, shots 13 to 11 for the Jets, 68.5% Deserve To Win for the Jets, Expected Goals – all situations (1.72-0.69 WPG), & 5 on 5 (0.67-0.40 NYI)
Winnipeg played much better in the 2nd frame, testing Sorokin on an early powerplay and at 5 on 5 (nice rush & deke by Connor, prime rebound chance for Vilardi, Ehlers & Perfetti combining to make the Isles’ tender make a stretch pad save, etc). Hellebucyk did his part to keep the game tied up, denying Lee from the low slot and then absolutely robbing Dobson on a wrister from 10 feet out. A Samberg turnover led to a prolonged NY attack and Namestnikov was nabbed for holding penalty as the Jets tried to defend. The Isles had a few great looks early on, but Bucky continued his fine play by denying two rapid chances. Winnipeg’s PKers did better to end the kill, stopping three straight zone entry attempts and the teams returned to even strength. Shortly after, Namestnikov was forechecking along the end boards and tripped over a defender’s stick, giving the Jets their 3rd PP of the evening. A face-off win allowed an early set up and Lowry was stoned from right in front of Sorokin, but the Peggers kept up the pressure. A Perfetti blast ended up knocking Sorokin’s skate blade loose and Winnipeg took advantage of the flailing goaltender with a cross-ice pass to Pionk, who easily wristed the puck into a wide open net to give the Jets the lead on the powerplay. The home team had another PP opportunity when Toninato was driven into the boards from behind, but the 1st unit did absolutely nothing and the 2nd only managed a long Schmidt shot with the little time they received. MoneyPuck’s chart below displays the large number of chances the Jets had after a couple periods, but we also see that the Islanders were still getting high danger looks on Hellebucyk.
After Two Periods MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 3 to 1 for the Jets, shots 31 to 25 for the Jets, 74% Deserve to Win for the Jets, Expected Goals – all situations (2.95-1.55 WPG) & 5 on 5 (1.58-1.32 WPG)
On the opening shift, Pionk loses his stick and while he goes to pick it up, New York’s Lee stepped from behind the net and somehow slid the puck between Bucky’s pad and the goal post to bring the Islanders within one, just 35 seconds into the 3rd. Winnipeg ended up sitting back for the majority of the 3rd period, seemingly happy to make it difficult for the Isles’ to make it through the neutral zone or keep NY to the perimeter in the defensive end. The Jets did have some opportunities on counter-attacks (Kupari rush, Niederreiter hitting post off a rebound, Toninato rush), but the key for Winnipeg was Hellebuyck. The goalie made numerous saves from in tight in the final frame and it wasn’t until Connor sealed the game with an empty netter that Winnipeg fans could breathe easy. The final shot chart is kind of like a Where’s Waldo search if you were trying to find where the Jets’ 13 shots came from, as the picture is very similar to the 2nd’s.
After Three Periods MoneyPuck Stats: 67% Deserve to Win for the Jets, Expected Goals – all situations (5.40-2.76 WPG) & 5 on 5 (2.45-2.28 WPG)
FINAL SCORE: WINNIPEG JETS 4 NY ISLANDERS 2
SHOTS: WINNIPEG JETS 44 NY ISLANDERS 37
Game Observations (from AIH member LesterHosoi):
- Man, was Helly good or what!!! .. good win. I’m not going to say he won it for us, and Sorokin made some great saves as well (or our guys can’t finish too well) but he was gooood. 35 saves on 37 shots and a .946 save percentage…would have to agree Lester.
- Connor looked real good too, like Sawyer or Robertson said, he did a lot of good things. KFC had 6 shots on net and was skating really well in his first game back…his return couldn’t have come at a better time. Also some great defense with the Isles pushing with an empty net…his poke check broke up a pass attempt high in Winnipeg’s zone, then he kept after the puck, poking it off the defenseman for the empty net breakaway goal that sealed the game.
- Kupari was skating great. Having another speedster, who’s 6’2 200+lbs can’t hurt. In his 3rd game in 2 months, the young Finn looked fast, played well defensively, and had a couple looks on Sorokin. Just needs to find a way to pot his 1st goal and hopefully they will start coming more frequently.
- Here are a couple of my observations: Face-offs for Winnipeg: After 1st – 70%, after 2 periods – 57%, and for whole game – 54%.
NEXT GAME: Winnipeg Jets @ Ottawa Senators – Saturday, January 20th @ 2:00 pm Central
Decision time is coming for Cheveldayoff and company with Mark Scheifele expected back by Saturday, making the need to open up a roster spot imminent. Sounds like David Gustafsson is also getting close. It will be nice to see what this team can do with a completely healthy lineup. Fingers crossed.
Looking for an easy way to support Arctic Ice Hockey Use our Affiliate Link when shopping hockey merch this holiday season!
