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JNGD.S8G3 Instant Recap: Jets Outlast Kings 2-1 In Home Opening Win
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Photo credit: © Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Art Middleton
Oct 9, 2018, 23:11 EDT
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The Jets got back to basics a little bit in their 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night to open things up at home for the 2018-19 season
Mark Scheifele scored his first of the year and Kyle Connor scored his third in as many games to win the game in the second period. It was a game that didn’t feature as much offense as Jets fans had maybe hoped to see with a little more reliance on well played defense, but based on their last game on Saturday may have been a necessary way to win the game.

TALKING POINTS

  • That is more like it!
  • The Jets got the bad stuff out of the way early as Ilya Kovalchuk had a beautiful tip of a Drew Doughty flip towards the net to give the Kings an early 1-0 lead. A couple of blown assignments on the play, the biggest of which was Tyler Myers who again is victimized on a bad defensive play.
  • After that Kings goal, the Jets got their skating legs going. They looked far quicker than they had been in the first two games.
  • No penalties taken in either of the first two periods which is huge and was a big talking point coming into this game. The Jets needed to cut that out of their game and they did big time. They did take a couple in the third period which lead to some tense moments, but thankfully the penalty kill was much improved as well tonight.
  • Kyle Connor continues to impress early on. A year ago he wasn’t even in the main lineup and even when the Jets did call him back up, he played a bit tentative and waited for linemates Wheeler and Scheifele to make the plays. This season he’s the one controlling plays and taking charge.
  • Some credit goes to Connor Hellebuyck for a strong game despite the quiet work load. From about the middle of the third period until the end, the Kings got a lot better (and the Jets it felt like eased up at the same time) which could have been disaster for a goalie who hadn’t seen many pucks for 50 of the first 60 minutes, but Hellebuyck true to his nature stayed calm and square to shots. Nice bounce back game for him.
  • Much better games from the likes of Ben Chiarot and Joe Morrow. Not pitch perfect, but better. Jacob Trouba and Josh Morrissey were outstanding against the Kings top line of Kopitar, Kovalchuk and Ialallo.
  • Mark Scheifele now has a goal scored against every single NHL club. The Kings were the last team on that list. Not a big deal, but still kind of neat.

BOX SCORE

HIGHLIGHTS

First Period

Second Period

Third Period

NEXT FLIGHT

Big one coming up as the Jets go right back on the road to take on the Nashville Predators. The puck drops from Bridgestone Arena at 7 PM CST.

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