Jets surge past 30th ranked Avalanche 6-1
7 years ago
(Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports)
There are games you just simply can’t lose.
As the Jets attempt to make a compelling playoff push, falling to the league’s worst Colorado Avalanche was not an option. Luckily for the Jets, they were able to breeze by the Avalanche in convincing fashion with a 6-1 victory on Hockey Night in Canada. The win places them two points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the Western Conference’s last Wild Card Spot and further increases the Jets playoff chances.
Game notes
- Connor Hellebuyck seems to have his mojo back while solidifying his role as the team’s starting goaltender. Hellebuyck was 15 seconds away from securing back to back shutouts and over the last few games the young netminder seems much more relaxed between the pipes.
- Patrik Laine, who recorded a goal and an assist tonight, is on pace to score 40+ goals as an 18-year-old rookie. To say that is outstanding would be an understatement. Laine’s 32 goals currently places him two goals behind Sidney Crosby for the league lead and Laine continues to lead the league in rookie scoring, with 58 points (in 58 games).
- I think this goes without saying–but the Colorado Avalanche are a pure mess. The Avalanche were crowned division champions a mere three years ago and now, they’re looking like a tire fire. Colorado had a few cringe worthy plays tonight that summed up their forgettable effort tonight
- Such as Blake Comeau’s breakaway, uh..mistake?
- And, a total defensive collapse on this goal…
- And last, but certainly not least…
- On a different note, I’m starting to wonder if Joel Armia is as much of a lock to be protected in the expansion draft as many think. Not to say that Armia’s play has declined or changed, but the team seems to like Adam Lowry a lot and It wouldn’t shock me if Mathieu Perreault was protected.
- Someone explain to me how Nic Petan couldn’t get into the lineup tonight? Having Thorburn play a gritty Blues team is what it is, but Colorado? That’s just plain odd. Petan could have benefited from power play reps in a throw-away game like tonight. Maybe the team could have even thrown him into the top-six for a bit? Seems like an odd decision to keep him out of the lineup once again.
- Despite suffering a nasty looking knee-on-knee collision, Andrew Copp returned to tonight’s contest despite looking to be in a significant amount of pain moments after the injury.
- Hard to not feel sorry for Avalanche goaltender Calvin Pickard. Pickard was in front of friends and family in his hometown when his team laid a goose egg in front of him.
Post-game reaction
“It was a carry over from yesterday… You do that, and you have an opportunity to come back and repeat it.” Wheeler on the 6-1 win. pic.twitter.com/zZQMr2ClZO— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 5, 2017
“It feels good. We came out really hard… We just have to continue like this.” Ehlers on the win, and Chiarot’s first of the season. pic.twitter.com/lXxMo88GWa— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 5, 2017
“It felt good. It feels good to contribute.” Chiarot on his first of the season, and the #NHLJets play on back-to-back nights. pic.twitter.com/JBfbt4rSeE— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 5, 2017
“I feel good about my game.” Hellebuyck on his performance in the 6-1 win over Colorado. pic.twitter.com/7PPeKVZ8Qt— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 5, 2017
“He does the simple things… He’s very consistent and that’s exactly what you’re looking for in a partner.” Trouba on Morrissey. pic.twitter.com/wI3AgID7Yr— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 5, 2017
“There’s always a good energy in our building, but there was a real good buzz in that building tonight.” Maurice on the win over Colorado. pic.twitter.com/ToHkFpSiZy— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 5, 2017
Looking onward
The Jets will host the Sharks on Monday, the Penguins on Wednesday and the Flames next Saturday.
Recent articles from Jacob Stoller
