Last night the Winnipeg Jets played their 69th game of the season when they faced off against the New Jersey Devils, but before I get into the recap I want to discuss another topic first.
While it has been a pleasure being able to write articles for you all to read about the Jets this season, I have to admit I am discovering that the “job” has ended up taking more effort than I expected. As most of you know, when I signed up it was with the expectation that I would be part of a team of Arctic Ice Hockey writers striving to provide you coverage of our favourite hockey team. Well, that never really panned out and the season began with just two of us carrying the load. Things started out with the work being divided fairly equally, but slowly slipped into a more lop-sided arrangement that has now evolved into AIH becoming a one-man show.
To this point, I have written 143 articles this season (including the last 22 posts) and will need to do at least another 26 to make it to the end of the regular season (Preview/Recaps for remaining 13 games). A lot of the time, getting these things done in my free time isn’t an issue, but it seems to have been more of a grind lately. It certainly makes it easier when Winnipeg is coming off a great performance, but even so I find my recaps are going up later and later.
Admittedly, I haven’t tried to contact our site administrator or the owners of the entire network recently to discuss the situation, but that is mainly due to my previous attempts being ignored/missed. So I am not sure what I am about to suggest is even possible, but might as well give it a shot.
I am hoping that someone or multiple people would consider volunteering to help me out for the rest of the season by signing up to share the workload here at Arctic Ice Hockey. Ideally a person or multiple people could take the remaining 13 Previews off my plate, allowing me to focus on the recaps and possibly bonus analytical articles. Should I get enough interest in the comments section, I will attempt to contact our Network to see if I can get those people added as writers on the site. Alright…on to a very abbreviated recap of last night’s contest.
The Winnipeg Jets were coming off a great performance against the Rangers, but it was immediately apparent that neither the Jets or the New Jersey Devils were at the top of their games on Thursday. A choppy, tight checking 1st period saw limited chances as the squads combined for just 11 shots. The biggest thing you took away from the opening frame was that Winnipeg squandered two powerplay opportunities that were ideal chances to take control of the game. Neither team could get to the high danger areas, as both defenses were adept at helping their goaltenders (Brossoit & Allen) by clogging shooting lanes.
New Jersey were the quicker team in the 2nd period, slowly allowing them to take more control of the puck and helping them get two man-advantages over the visiting Jets. The first of those PP’s showed why I warned Winnipeg of it’s lethality in my Game Preview, as they immediately took the lead on a rebound goal. The second powerplay had a lot of zone time, but Brossoit and a post kept the score the same. The Jets’ top line spent a long shift cycling the puck in NJ’s zone and when they went for a line change, Ehlers took advantage of the tired defenders by flying through the neutral zone, making a nice cut by a Devil at the blueline that allowed him to walk into the slot and beat Allen cleanly to knot the game with 3 minutes left in the middle frame.
MoneyPuck had New Jersey at 72% of the Deserve to Win meter entering the 3rd and it was only Brossoit’s great performance that had Winnipeg still in the game. The Jets’ goaltender remained unbeatable at even strength in the game, but a pair of New Jersey PP’s in the final frame allowed the game to slip away from our squad. In both situations, Winnipeg defenders had the opportunity to clear the defensive end, but failed to do so. As a result the sustained pressure and tiring PKers ended up giving the Devils another two powerplay goals (to go 3 for 4 on the night) to seal the game. NJ added an empty netter late in the 3rd and the final horn saw a 4-1 victory for the hometown Devils.
If you are interested in MoneyPuck’s advanced stats and shot charts, check them out below:
First Period MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 0 to 0 tie, shots 6 to 5 for the Devils, 53% Deserve To Win for the Devils, Expected Goals – all situations (0.50-0.33 NJ), & 5 on 5 (0.45-0.30 NJ)
After Two Periods MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 1 to 1 tie, shots 27 to 15 for the Devils, 72% Deserve to Win for the Devils, Expected Goals – all situations (1.80-0.80 NJ) & 5 on 5 (1.16-0.77 NJ)
After Three Periods MoneyPuck Stats: 85% Deserve to Win for the Devils, Expected Goals – all situations (3.85-1.45 NJ) & 5 on 5 (1.86-1.13 NJ)
FINAL SCORE: NEW JERSEY DEVILS 4 WINNIPEG JETS 1
SHOTS: NEW JERSEY DEVILS 41 WINNIPEG JETS 19
No Game Observations today, but the only stories were Laurent Brossoit (37 of 40 saves, .925%, & 0.55 Goals Saved Above Expected) and Nikolaj Ehlers (great rush & goal, the only Jet skater at top speed all night). Brossoit had a streak of 179:39 of shutout hockey ended by the Devils’ potent powerplay.
NEXT GAME: Winnipeg Jets @ New York Islanders – Sunday, March 23rd @ 12:00 noon Central
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