The Winnipeg Jets had to face off against the top team in the Western Conference on Thursday evening and were looking to rebound from an inconsistent performance versus the Predators. The Dallas Stars could lock up the top spot in the Central with a win and also are challenging the NY Rangers for the Presidents’ Trophy, so they should be eager for a victory. Lets find out how things went down….
The opening puck drop saw both franchises sticking to their defensive systems, limiting scoring chances either way in the early parts of the period. Winnipeg got the best early scoring opportunity when Monahan was set up in the low slot, but Oettinger was able to turn aside the attempt. Dallas had their best chance a bit later when a cycle shift led to a couple mad scrambles in front of Brossoit, but the tender sprawled on the ice to keep the biscuit out of his net. The Jets’ 2nd line had another offensive zone shift and came close again when Monahan was once again denied from the net-front and the rebound was lying in the crease. A Stars’ player tried to clear the danger, but their attempt was intercepted in the slot by Ehlers and a quick backhand gave Winnipeg a 1-0 lead 15 minutes into the game. Dallas had a chance to equalize when they broke out on a 2 on 1, but a good backcheck made it a 2 on 2 and Brossoit easily handled the shot from the left face-off dot. The Jets ended the frame with a couple cycle shifts in the Stars’ zone and here is how MoneyPuck saw things after the 1st.
First Period MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 1 to 0 for the Jets, shots 9 to 8 for the Jets, 55% Deserve To Win for the Jets, Expected Goals – all situations (0.59-0.40 WPG), & 5 on 5 (0.59-0.40 WPG)
Once again, the period opened up to stifling defensive play and the goaltenders were rewarded by having to face no shots in the opening 3 minutes. Dallas finally got a chance when Brossoit turned aside a 1 timer from the right face-off dot and Winnipeg responded with a 3rd line 3 on 2 rush. Unfortunately, a pass bounced off Appleton in the neutral zone and that sprung the Stars on a 2 man breakaway. A great backcheck by Samberg saw the defenseman get back just in time to dive to break up the cross-ice pass attempt. While Sammy saved a goal, he also slid into his own net and knocked it off their moorings, so the hometown team would get their 1st powerplay of the contest. An excellent job by the PKers saw the Stars fail to get a shot, while Monahan was able to get a look of his own (over net) for Winnipeg while they were down a man. With no shots in the opening 7 minutes, the Jets finally were able to start tilting the ice the other way and it started with a good forecheck & cycle by the top line. That pressure allowed Winnipeg to start making a line change while keeping possession and in the midst of this, Scheifele sent the puck to Appleton high on the left boards before the center headed for the bench. Apples slipped a pass to Samberg uncovered at the point and the defenseman quickly stepped in to fire a shot on net. To my old eyes, it appeared the shot deflected off a Dallas’ Duchene high in the zone, but slo-mo replays showed Gustafsson also redirected the puck just in front of the goalie. With 10 minutes left and a 2-0 lead, Brossoit had to keep playing well to keep the game scoreless (stopped Benn in the blue paint and then calmly snagged a Tanev blast). Winnipeg responded with some pressure of their own (Morrissey 1 timer, Stanley wrister, Connor stoned in low slot, & Scheifele robbed by a quick pad save) before the Stars ended the frame with more offensive zone time (including a point shot hitting the post behind Brossoit, only to bounce conveniently between his legs & allow him to smother the puck).
After Two Periods MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 2 to 0 for the Jets, shots 22 to 16 for the Jets, 52% Deserve to Win for the Jets, Expected Goals – all situations (1.34-1.18 WPG) & 5 on 5 (1.31-1.06 WPG)
The final period saw the teams trade low danger opportunities early on, but it was Dallas that was controlling the puck more often (4-1 shots in opening 6 minutes). Heiskanen was flying around the ice and one of his rushes saw him gain the low slot for a quality look on Brossoit, but the tender denied the Stars the spark they needed. It looked like the home squad finally got the break they needed when Scheifele was nabbed for a trip and Dallas’ deadly PP stepped on the ice. While the Stars did much better on their 2nd attempt, the Jets’ penalty killers did enough to keep the shut-out alive (great save by Bross on a bumper 1 timer and then a defensive stick by DeMelo breaking up another attempt from the same spot). Just as the penalty was about to end, Appleton was able to relieve the pressure by clearing the puck as he was being tripped up by a Star player. Winnipeg’s 1st PP of the match was nothing to write home about, as they struggled to gain the zone and turned over the puck when they did (Scheifele). The 2nd unit had a bit more success in their short time, with Iafallo testing Oettinger with a shot after a brief cycle. With less than 7 minutes to play, the Lowry line killed some time with a cycle shift that involved some great work along the boards by Gustafsson. Dallas was able to get back on the offensive after Scheifele sent a couple puzzling passes that were easily intercepted, but Sequin wasn’t able to solve Brossoit. The Stars’ coach gambled early by pulling the goalie with 3 minutes left and they were able to use the extra attacker to get set up in Winnipeg’s zone. They couldn’t find a way to penetrate the Jets’ defense though and when Appleton intercepted a puck, he sent the puck to Connor to exit the zone. Winnipeg’s leading scorer saw Scheifele breaking up the open side of the ice and quickly poked the puck to him, allowing the game to be essentially sealed with the empty netter. Dallas did have one more cycle shift after that, but the Stars got called for too many men with a minute to play. Bowness had seen enough of his powerplay units for the night and opted instead to go with the Lowry line to finish off the game. It didn’t result in much offense, but Winnipeg never came close to giving up a shorty either, so it all worked out.
After Three Periods MoneyPuck Stats: 65% Deserve to Win for the Stars, Expected Goals – all situations (2.43-2.24 WPG) & 5 on 5 (1.87-1.46 WPG)
FINAL SCORE: WINNIPEG JETS 3 DALLAS STARS 0
SHOTS: WINNIPEG JETS 24 DALLAS STARS 24
Game Observations:
- We’ll start off with the test I had outlined in the Preview to see how the Winnipeg Jets did. They were asked to limit Dallas to under 35 shots, get 30 of their own, stop the Stars from scoring 4 goals, net 3 of their own, break even for xG at 5 on 5, and break even on special teams. Getting out my red pencil, here are my marks: Question 1: A (24 shots against), Question 2: B (24 shots for), Question 3: A+ (0 goals allowed), Question 4: B- (3 goals scored), Question 5: C (1.87-1.46 DAL), & Question 6: B+ (break even). Overall, I am extremely satisfied with their efforts and am happy to give them an overall grade of an A for the night’s work (though the actual grades might make a B+ more appropriate).
- Laurent Brossoit (2.22 Goals Saved Above Average) didn’t face as much rubber as Connor Hellebuyck did the other night, but the Jets’ backup played extremely well on route to his 3rd shut out of the season.
- Other players who deserve mentions were Nikolaj Ehlers (200th career goal), David Gustafsson (scored a goal on his birthday and always seems to be in the right spot defensively), and the pairing of Logan Stanley & Dylan Samberg (61.1% xG, the only d-pairing on the right side of that stat). Big Stan also led Winnipeg in shots (4), showing a good knack for putting pucks on net.
- Look who has the 2nd longest winning streak in the NHL right now….our Winnipeg Jets!! The current 5 straight victorious games is only bested by the NY Islanders’ 6.
A very impressive performance by the Winnipeg Jets in Texas, but it only really matters if they can follow it up with a similar effort in Colorado. With the two franchises tied for 2nd, home ice advantage is looming large for whomever can finish the final three games the best. The Jets do have the advantage in regulation wins by 2 games at this point, so it seems likely that any tie will go Winnipeg’s way.
NEXT GAME: Winnipeg Jets @ Colorado Avalanche – Saturday, April 13th @ 3:00 pm Central
Rutger McGroarty’s NCAA season came to a crashing end as Michigan dropped a 4-0 contest to the talented Boston College squad. After processing his disappointment, the forward will have to turn his attention to determining if he will return for a 3rd college season or make the jump to the big leagues. Most likely, we’ll hear something within the week. Will he be joining Colby Barlow & Brad Lambert on the Manitoba Moose for the rest of the season?
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