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Scheifele's Hatty Sends Senators Packing |
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The Set Up
With their new recruit wearing his number 12 for the first game against his old team, the Jets looked to step back into the playoff picture. Maurice made the decision to pair DeMelo with Beaulieu, despite many prognosticators predicting a partnership with Morrissey. Maybe Maurice thought he’d help because Beaulieu was also tasked with facing his former team in his first game with Jets. Probably not the reason, but a good anecdote nonetheless.
Apparently, no one was offering a second rounder for DeMelo. Seems kind of strange when considering what the pundits are saying about him. Not to mention, all the other deals that went down around the same time. Seemed even stranger after listening to his presser. The kid sounds extremely affable and mature. Should be a good fit.
Excellent news on the Buff front, finding out that Chevy somehow convinced the league to allow his team to spend the salary tied up in Byfuglien’s boat anchor. If he can convince a team to take the prorated contact, now sitting at 1.8 million, and salvage an asset, I’d be impressed. But he’s impressed before.
If you’re wondering what the incentive is for another team taking Buff, it’s that they can maintain his suspension until he is fit to play. Then, they would have his cap hit reduced even further as the games in the season wind down.
Additionally, if Chevy can’t find a taker before the deadline, he can still hang onto the contract until next summer. Seeing as he already has the cap space to augment his team in the present, he is under no pressure to try and dump him now. That’s some brilliant GMing right there.
As more details slip out, this story is gonna grow layers. But for now, on to the show!
1st Period
The game started with a not too emotional tribute to Dylan DeMelo. Maybe it’s because he’s a swell guy, maybe it’s because he publicly stated that he would have liked to resign in Ottawa, or maybe you just don’t need to do very much for a tribute anymore. I don’t know. It was a little weird though.
The Jets started this one sleepy, hitting the snooze after a couple chimes from the goal posts. They wouldn’t wake up fast enough either, allowing Nick Paul to get his 8th by walking into the slot and snapping it past Brossoit.
Have to wonder though, what the heck Ehlers was doing on that play?
After earning a powerplay, Scheifele would finally end his 12-game goalless drought and bury one off a broken play. See! Everything is gonna be alright people.
After exchanging a Tierney opportunity for a Laine-laser the Jets would get to go on another PP.
The good times kept a rollin’, when Scheifele deflected Pionk’s snap shot from the point. The guy can really get a puck through, and with all the amazing hands in the line-up, pucks are getting tipped more than a golf course waitress in the summer time.
2nd Period
Early in the second period, Laine ended an Ottawa attempt in style, calmly knocking a puck out of the air to negate a developing 2 on 1.
Then, Connor joined the Jets three 30 goal seasons club, when he chipped a puck past Hogberg.
Worth noting that Copp got his 8th point in 10 games on the play. It’s nice to see the numbers coming for a guy that has always played an honest game.
Some awful luck had Apple picking a toe in the ice as he skated towards the boards. The resulting crash left him gasping, but he would smile upon arising and eventually get back into the game.
Ehlers got in on the action after Wheeler’s attempted pass hit a Sen’s skate, bounced off Hogberg, and right to where he could stuff it.
Always good to see that grin.
3rd Period
I have to mention Copp’s amazing back-check before this blog is through. There, that was easy.
Scheifele, trying for the hattrick, kept on a 2 on 1 and wired it just wide on the weak side. And then immediately after, got the breakaway and missed trying to go five-hole. Caman!
I guess Roslovic learnt nothing from that because he did the same thing. Walking in on the 2 on 1 and missing wide to the far side. He wouldn’t be extended the breakaway however.
Things got good when the Poolman decided to land a massive hit on new uber-pest Brady Tkachuk. The big boy didn’t like it and politely asked for a round. The fight ended before it began as Poolman went for the big right (, right?) off the bat. At least no one got hurt!
And then finally, the moment every Jets fan was waiting for, with a minute and a half to go, on the powerplay, with Nick Shore and Logan Shaw, and two other guys, using his hockey stick, Mark Scheifele fired one past Pigberg and summoned some hats.
Did anyone notice DeMelo during his 18 and half minutes off ice-time and 3 blocked shots?
The Wrap
So, Scheifele broke whatever curse had been plaguing him. Kind of non-crisis though, considering he had 8 assists in those 12 games, including two very sweet set ups to teammates on 2 on 1s during the last game. How many guys in a goal-slump are giving up those opportunities?
What a team this is to watch. There are 5 Jet scorers in the top 45 in the NHL, 5 Jets already have 20 goals, the team is one of the youngest in the league (and with young core players I might add), they have great goaltending, not only in the NHL, but also in the pipeline. Speaking of the pipeline, it still has prospects in it. For a team to be this young, this good, and still to have this many prospects, is a very, very good thing.
Above the playoff line again, after their win and Arizona’s loss, the Jets will now look to make some distance. It won’t be easy with all the teams behind them that have games in hand, but the Jets will play a number of games against divisional rivals and should be able to control their destiny to a degree. We’ll see.
The Jets’ next is in Philly on Saturday. It’s a noon start so, drink some water here and there.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • 
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