The Winnipeg Jets were in New York on Tuesday with the aim to knock off one of the NHL’s better teams in their home barn. As Frank Sinatra once crooned, “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere“, so the Jets were hoping that knocking off the Rangers would increase the level of respect the media have for their squad. Let’s find out how it played out….
The opening period saw both teams playing at a high pace, as they tested each other’s defense with frequent rushes up the ice. Despite great forechecking by Winnipeg’s forwards, they initially had difficulties breaking into the high dangers zones. New York was able to spend a bit more time in the Jets’ end in the 1st, but the defensive systems kept the majority of shots from the perimeter of the zone. Hellebuyck was required to make a couple nice saves until the Rangers ended up taking the first penalty of the game (Fox interference on Monahan). Winnipeg got a couple early shots on the PP, but ended up taking a penalty of their own when Connor failed to hold the puck in at the opposing blueline. The short 4 on 4 action period saw the Jets’ best chance of the game when Ehlers intercepted a pass and was in on a breakaway. Shesterkin had to do the splits as he stretched across the crease to make a pad save, allowing New York to counter attack and force Bucky to make another key stop. The Rangers weren’t able to get a shot on net during their short powerplay and all of a sudden, the game opened up with back & forth action. Morrissey blasts a point shot off Shesterkin’s shoulder, Iafallo intercepts a zone exit pass and sets up Connor for a 1 timer, the Blueshirts get a clearcut breakaway on Hellebuyck, and Samberg makes a great play to break up a Rangers’ 3 on 1 rush. New York ended the period with a seriously long shift in Winnipeg’s zone and while the 2nd line was completely gassed, they eventually eased the pressure by blocking a point shot and clearing the zone. MoneyPuck’s information indicates that the 1st frame was pretty close, but the Jets did get the two best chances of the game.
First Period MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 0 to 0 tie, shots 12 to 10 for the Rangers, 52.5% Deserve To Win for the Rangers, Expected Goals – all situations (0.64-0.60 NYR), & 5 on 5 (0.52-0.31 NYR)
The middle period opened up to some end-to-end action, including a chance for Gustafsson in the low slot. Winnipeg ended up being the first team to solve a goaltender, when a point shot from Schmidt created a huge rebound that Scheifele was able to bat out of the air and by Shesterkin to give the Jets a 1-0 lead 4 minutes in the period. New York immediately responded with more pressure, including Hellebuyck having to make his best save up to that point off a great scoring chance by Lafreniere. The Rangers push resulted in Morrissey picking up a hooking penalty on Fox, so the Blueshirts were back on the powerplay. The Jets did a good job keeping the Rangers to the perimeter for most of the PP, but as it neared an end Hellebuyck had to make a huge pad save off another Lafreniere shot. Unfortunately, the stop resulted in a huge rebound and Wennberg found enough space between Samberg & Appleton to bang it home to tie the match. With the game knotted, the teams traded looks (Zibanejab from right face-off dot, Scheifele shot from low slot, Bucky pad save on NYR 2 on 1, and a contested breakaway for Ehlers). Winnipeg’s top line spent a shift in the offensive zone and it resulted in the Rangers taking a penalty on Iafallo as he battled for position in front of the goaltender. The Jets got set up early with the man-advantage and eventually the puck moved from Scheifele in the left face-off circle to Toffoli net-side. The winger quickly sent a pass to Monahan in the bumper, but Shesterkin robbed him on the attempt. However, there was a huge rebound to the right side of the ice and Connor was able to pounce and net a bad angle shot before the Rangers’ tender could cross his crease. The final 8 minutes saw both squads try to penetrate each other’s defenses, but it was only when Scheifele poked the puck off a defenseman at the Jets’ blueline that another great scoring chance occurred. Winnipeg’s top center had a clear cut breakaway on Shesterkin and opted for a shot from between the hashmarks, sending the puck by the tender’s blocker to give the Jets a 3-1 lead going into the 2nd intermission. MoneyPuck’s stats after 2 periods outline a fairly evenly matched game, but Winnipeg was able to get more dirty areas looks to this point.
After Two Periods MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 3 to 1 for the Jets, shots 24 to 21 for the Rangers, 61.6% Deserve to Win for the Jets, Expected Goals – all situations (2.15-1.53 WPG) & 5 on 5 (1.14-0.91 WPG)
The 3rd period saw each squad get more chances to put pucks in the net, but New York clearly had the better opportunities as they tried to claw their way back into the game. Hellebuyck continued to play at a Vezina-worthy level to deny all chances and Winnipeg had a chance to put things away when they got their 3rd PP look in the match. Unfortunately, the Jets couldn’t get things done with the man-advantage and even gave up a short-handed scoring chance against. At this point, it was mainly New York trying to penetrate Winnipeg’s defense while the Jets were looking to capitalize on any mistakes to put the game away. Bucky continued his strong play, denying good looks by Lafreniere & Fox. The Rangers pulled the goalie with 2:30 to play and after more pressure (including Kreider ringing one off a post), they were rewarded when Lafreniere got lucky when the puck bounced straight to him off a Pionk block. New York tried to pull their tender again to tie the game, but this time a shifty move by Scheifele at the Rangers’ blueline allowed him to net an empty netter (for his hat-trick!). Check out below for how MoneyPuck saw the advanced stats & shot attempts in the game.
After Three Periods MoneyPuck Stats: 63.7% Deserve to Win for the Jets, Expected Goals – all situations (2.66-2.48 WPG) & 5 on 5 (1.58-1.27 WPG)
FINAL SCORE: WINNIPEG JETS 4 NY RANGERS 2
SHOTS: NY RANGERS 42 WINNIPEG JETS 27
Game Observations:
- Another stellar performance by Connor Hellebuyck. Turned aside 40 of 42 shots faced for a .952 save percentage and 0.48 Goals Saved Above Average. Bucky is now 16-4-2 versus the Eastern Conference this season.
- Mark Scheifele played another great game and was rewarded with a year-high 7 shots and his 8th career hat-trick. His first goal of the game was also his 20th of the season and the center is now up to 22 in 61 games.
- The Jets’ top line of Alex Iafallo, Mark Scheifele, and Kyle Connor were the only forward line to win the expected goals battle versus New York by gaining 58.7%. While others may disagree, I think Iafallo plays an important puck retrieval role on that line, often allowing them to get set up in the opponent’s zone with his forechecking.
- I’m really not sure if last night’s game could be considered a “statement win” by the Winnipeg Jets, but it certainly did show that the team can play with the NHL’s best when they play the right way. Great goaltending, responsible defense, and timely scoring will take you far in the post-season.
A big win to start the road trip and the Winnipeg Jets will hope to carry the momentum into the next game.
NEXT GAME: Winnipeg Jets @ New Jersey Devils – Thursday, March 21st @ 6:00 pm Central
Tyler Toffoli and Colin Miller will likely get the chance to suit up against their former team as Winnipeg continues their pursuit of the Central Division title. The annoying Avalanche won again last night, so the Jets are still deadlocked atop the division at this point.
Looking for an easy way to support Arctic Ice Hockey Use our Affiliate Link when shopping hockey merch this hockey season!
