The Winnipeg Jets beat the Nashville Predators 3-1 in what was a very close checking game in Music City, USA.

Andrew Ladd broke up the Predators’ breakout, leading to a 2-0 with Michael Frolik scoring the opening goal in the first. Ryan Ellis scored off the blue line directly after a face off win, where the puck bounced off of two Jets and in. It did not take long for the Jets to answer back, with a great shot from Tyler Myers and a rebound by Blake Wheeler.

Drew Stafford eventually picked up the insurance goal on the empty net.

Let’s break it down.

Jacob MF Trouba – The young defender really carried things for the team with the absence of Dustin Byfuglien. Despite being strapped next to Mark Stuart, the Jets created 15 unblocked shot attempts with Trouba on the ice and had only eight against. Without Trouba on the ice, the Jets created 17 and allowed 25.

Hutch is Clutch – Hutchinson put together a great performance, saving 95.2 per cent of shots on goal. The Jets and Predators each created 19 scoring chances according to War-on-Ice. The difference was the number of chances that went in the net. Hutchinson was a difference maker and continues to be one of the best performers in the league.

Face Offs Overrated – The announcers could not stop talking about how poorly the Jets performed in the face off circle. While the Jets did lose a tonne, face offs in general carry a very minimal impact. The Jets lost 12 more face offs at even strength than they won. On average that is worth one quarter of a goal. The Jets worst line in the face off circle (Scheifele line) controlled the game against their opponents.

Individual scoring chances (iSC), shot attempt differential (Corsi +/-), non-blocked shot attempt differential (Fen +/-), and offensive zone face off as percentage of all non-neutral zone face-offs:

Shot attempt chart for all minutes:

(Courtesy: hockeystats.ca)

Shot location chart:

(Courtesy: war-on-ice)

Niceee…