Well, for the second time this season, the Winnipeg Jets played so poorly that I couldn’t force myself to watch the entire game live. In the first instance, I did end up going back to watch the remainder of the match in order to recap the action, but this time I couldn’t make myself suffer through two more hours of frustrating Jets hockey. As a result, the following summary won’t include a huge amount of detail.
It was clear from the opening puck drop that the New York Islanders were interested in winning the game, as they were easily the faster and more aggressive squad. Winnipeg was barely able to get a shot on the opposing goaltender in the early part of the period, spending huge chunks of time defending in the own zone. The Devils finally broke the goose egg when a cleanly won defensive face-off bounced off Pionk’s skate to Clutterbuck in front of Hellebucyk. Things compounded when Clutterbuck added another goal 3 minutes later with a nice snipe from the left face-off dot, but the Jets got a bit of life when DeMelo hit Namestnikov with a stretch pass, allowing the Russian to net his 10th of the year on a breakaway. The Islanders dashed any comeback hopes with a late 1st period goal by Palmieri and Winnipeg limped into the first intermission down 3-1 after being out-shot 15 to 3.
The 2nd frame (which I didn’t see) appeared to contain more of the above, as New York quickly added a 4th goal in the opening 2 minutes before popping in a couple more before the horn sounded. Going solely from the stats, Winnipeg lost the shot battle 21-15 in the middle period as the Islanders continued to dominate the game (wasn’t around to take a screen shot of the 2nd period shot chart). Also, Hellebuyck was pulled after the 5th goal, the first time the Jets’ starter has been yanked this season.
Again, going solely on the stats, it seems that New York entered a defensive shell for the 3rd period, giving Winnipeg a chance to make the advanced stats appear better as they peppered Varlamov in the final frame (17 to 3 shots). The defending the lead tactic allowed the Jets to add a couple goals in the final frame (Appleton’s 13th and Perfetti’s 15th of the season) and make the game seem closer than it was.
After Three Periods MoneyPuck Stats: 54% Deserve to Win for the Jets, Expected Goals – all situations (3.83-3.45 WPG) & 5 on 5 (3.77-3.45 WPG)
FINAL SCORE: NY ISLANDERS 6 WINNIPEG JETS 3
SHOTS: NY ISLANDERS 39 WINNIPEG JETS 35
Game Observations:
- Not many highlights from what I watched yesterday, but I can’t in good conscience try the “all teams have bad games” excuse for Winnipeg’s performance last night. While the previous game against the Devils was far from the Jets’ best, I thought their defensive systems and effort was okay in that match, but there is no excuse for Saturday’s flat performance when a team is chasing a division title.
- I am so happy that Cole Perfetti ended up netting one, though I never saw if it was a nice goal or an ugly one. The kid could use a break to boost his confidence in his sophomore season.
- As most of you know, I am a stat guy. But this is one prime example of needing to avoid just using the advanced stats to determine a team’s performance because the Isle’s 3rd period shell actually allowed Winnipeg to win the expected goals battle. A prime case to support the need to use the good old “eye test” as well as the final stats to properly grade a squad’s actual performance.
- Fortunately for myself, I ended up switching to watch the Manitoba Moose’s chase for a playoff spot and was able to watch a good game of hockey on Saturday. Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate has been playing well and they absolutely controlled the game against the Abbotsford Canucks, outshooting them 14-2 in the 1st, 21-6 in the 2nd, and 10-4 in the final frame. Despite the lop-sided shot chart, the game was tied in the 3rd period until Jeffrey Viel netted his 13th of the season to give the home team a 3 to 2 victory. Like the Jets, the Moose are back at it this afternoon (noon start for anyone interested in attending a game at the Canada Life Centre).
No time to dwell on things, as the Winnipeg Jets are right back at it on Sunday. Admittedly, I am very leery about what us fans are about to witness this afternoon.
NEXT GAME: Winnipeg Jets @ Washington Capitals – Sunday, March 24th @ 11:30 pm Central
I know 2b9 indicated that CJOB said that today’s game was at noon, but so far both TSN & ESPN have it listed for a 11:30 am start.
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