Jets Nation Recap: Home is Where the 2 points Are
8 years ago
Home, sweet home.
After playing eight of the last nine games, including the last four, on the road, the Winnipeg Jets returned to the MTS Centre tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Jets came into tonight’s game on a six-game losing streak and winning only one game so far in the month of November. Turns out, all they needed was a little home cooking, as the Jets rebounded to beat the Canucks tonight by a score of 4-1.
The first period looked primarily in the Jets favor. They seemed to come out with a little bit of a jump in their step and controlled most of the play. Momentum swung even more in their favor after Luca Sbisa lit up Nik Ehlers that was flagged as an illegal hit to the head.
Ehlers was clearly stung by the hit, and Chris Thorburn immediately confronted Sbisa to challenge him for the hit. The Jets used the event, and the ensuing power play, to their advantage in the form of Mark Scheifele and went up 1-0.
The second period wasn’t as great for the Jets. The Canucks started to push back and added a power play goal of their own from Daniel Sedin.
Of course it was a Sedin.
Despite being outplayed for most of the second period, Drew Stafford was able to score a late goal to get the lead back for the Jets going into the third period.
The third period started out much like the second, but the Ondrej Pavalec and the Jets were able to whether the storm and keep it a one-goal game. The Jets finally got the insurance they needed when Scheifele added his second of the game. Stafford would also get his second of the game when he scored in the empty net to seal the game 4-1.
THREE KEYS
Physicality: I actually mentioned in the last game recap that the Jets needed to be more physical. Well, they must read this blog (I’d like to think so) because that’s exactly what they did. The Canucks got the first big hit on Ehlers, but the Jets out-hit the Canucks 30-16 for the game and really out-muscled the Canucks tonight. The Jets are a their best when they are physical and they will need more of that going forward.
Ondrej Pavalec: Jets goaltending hasn’t been the issue during their skid, but it certainly hasn’t been great either. Pavalec was great in this one. He stopped 29 of 30 shots and faced a lot of high danger scoring chances in this one. He was able to whether the storm and buy time for his team to give him some insurance. When a team is struggling, a lot of pressure is put on the goaltender to step up. Pavalec did just that tonight.
Special Teams: First, I just want to say that the Jets are still taking way too many penalties. They conceded seven minor penalties tonight that resulted in five power plays. Lucky for them, their special teams came through for them tonight. A big part of that was Pavalec, but the Jets went four for five on the penalty kill and scored on one of their four power plays. They really need to play more disciplined hockey, but their special teams definitely helped bail them out tonight.
CHARTS AND STUFF
Individual scoring chances 5v5.
All shot attempts for each team.
GIF RECAP
It’s okay everyone, exhale.
Recent articles from Vinnie Criscenzo
