Before the game the New York Rangers retired a jersey, but I missed it because I had football on like a normal person. I also missed the first period because I was eating supper with my family. Anyways, back to the hockey game: it was good, it was bad, and it happened. That’s about it. Also, the Jets game back to win.
First Period:
I only saw bits and pieces of the first period because I was eating ribs with my family, but from what I can tell the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers both played hockey. The Jets might have carried play, but there was nothing really going on until Jesper Fast scored late in the first.
Anyways, Harrison has the info on the first because those ribs were distracting. The first was absolute domination by Winnipeg, lots of zone time, and some great scoring opportunities that Lundqvist stopped. On the tail-end of one of Winnipeg’s late first period power plays, think it was Zibanejad who got a nice feed on a bit of a lucky play to create an odd-man situation. Hellebuyck bit a little too much on Zbad’s look, and the Jets didn’t close down several passing lanes such that Jesper Fast potted an empty net goal.
Second Period:
The Jets controlled play even though they allowed two goals in the period. Before I get into that, I am going to talk about Sami Niku. The only time I noticed Niku was on offence. His defensive game seemed quiet and controlled; just like anyone would want. He was also given a few shifts with Josh Morrissey and continued looking fine. Maybe Niku is a NHLer.
The goals: Connor Hellebuyck has not looked bad per say, but he has looked beatable and anything that could be considered a good chance is going in. That’s a problem when the team is not playing as well as they were last year. Hellebuyck is not bad and the Jets are not bad, but they both regressed from last year.
Third Period:
The Jets finally started scoring in the third and once they started, they could not stop. Mark Scheifele opened up scoring just two minutes into the third and then the fourth line showed off their new-found skill side and contributed a goal from Jack Roslovic. Roslovic has had a tough sophomore campaign this season and it is nice to see him get a break. He has looked better as of late and scoring another goal will surely be good for his confidence.
As for the third goal, the vaunted line of Nikolaj Ehlers, Bryan Little, and Patrik Laine got on the board thanks to a shot/pass to Little from Ehlers. It was a smart play and one that shows that those two players can work together. That said, I think Ehlers and Laine are better when they are apart and that is achieved when Kyle Connor is with Laine. If you want to maximize the Jets offence; those lines are best.
Overtime/Shootout:
Overtime started off slow for the Jets, but heated up quickly. It featured Patrik Laine playing defence and a whole lot of offence from all. However it settled nothing and we got to watch a calm and composed Connor Hellebuyck in goal with his friends Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele.
Cheers:
- Mark Scheifele. I just think he needs to be cheered.
- Blake Wheeler. I have not looked up his numbers recently, but he looks better and that is all I am going with right now.
- My dad’s ribs were amazing.
Jeers:
- Who starts a game at 6:00 PM local time?
- I refuse to call out the depleted defence…but they had moments.
