The Jets entered Saturday’s game without the services of Morrissey, Laine, Lowry, Perreault, Dahlstrom, Sbisa, Niku, and of course Bryan Little. Staying in the playoff race is becoming quite the task amid the rash of injuries, and facing the league’s best powerplay and second-best penalty kill didn’t help.
The Jets came into this one with a 93.9% penalty kill success rate. Draisatl and McDavid had something to say about that though.
Mason Appleton was moved up to the second line and acclimatized well, finishing with three shots in 13 and half minutes of ice time. I expect him to explode a bit next year.
Edmonton had Kassian back after 7 games sitting for stupidity, and they were happy to place new recruits Ennis and Athansiou on McDavid’s wings. Putting all of their eggs in the speed basket so to speak.
1st Period
I admit I was distracted by my dog playing with his reflection in the window for the early part of the first. Did I miss much?
I was a bit disappointed with DeMelo’s penalty, mainly because he had been so great defensively up until that point in the game.
It wouldn’t take the Oiler powerplay long before Leon Draisatl tapped in a perfect pass from McDavid and made it back to back seasons with 100 points. Wow!
Craig MacTavish drafted him. Remember Craig MacTavish? Nailed the shit out of this pick though.
Smith made a sweet save off Ehlers after Eakins set him up for the backhand chance. And then on the other end, Pionk picked one out of the air to save the Jets from going into the second down by two. Still, can’t believe how good this guy has been throughout this season.
2nd Period
Jujhar Khaira couldn’t put a rebound by Hellebuyck for either team’s best chance in the first five minutes of the second. The Jets would come close shortly after, however, Harkins couldn’t finish a pass from Wheeler on a 2 on 1. And then Poor Khaira put one off the crossbar, the guy hasn’t sored in 30 now. Think he’ll be back next year?
Another nice Harkins pass put Copp in alone, but Smith stayed with him kept it out. Next, Scheifele broke away, getting a great look, but once again Smith would get just enough of it. The Oilers’ goalie had an incredible night.
Unlikely suspect Logan Shaw tied the game taking a feed from Shore and streaking in alone and firing it low blocker.
34 seconds later Kyle Connor put away his 100th goal in the NHL. It was a beauty finish, but much better set up as Wheeler dangled Bear before finding Connor for the one-timer.
The Jets would get a powerplay, but before it ended Kulikov took a holding call. What the heck is he doing out there on a powerplay? Are we that out of options?
Helle had to make a few huge saves, and for awhile it appeared he might steal the game. That was until Draisatl tied it redirecting a McDavid snap past the Jets’ netminder.
The Jets would pour on the shots in the third, but Smith stayed right on top of it. Flashing the leather on Ehlers opportunity, slapping it on the 2 on 1. And again, on Scheifele with the partial break, after Wheeler blocked one with the ankle. Wheels would crawl to the bench while Smith denied Scheifele’s slapshot with the blocker.
And then the moment of truth. The last of the Oilers’ talent to execute on the night was Nugent- Hopkins, taking the nifty pass from Draisatl along the boards and finishing with flare.
The Jets would get several attempts on a late powerplay, and pour on the pressure with the net empty for the last 2 minutes, but it was the Oilers walking away with the very Jets-esque victory.
The Wrap
The loss leaves Winnipeg tied with Nashville and Arizona with 72 points, however, Nashville still has 3 games in hand. With just two games next week, against Buffalo and Vegas, to the Preds 4, we’ll know a lot more by the end of the week.
The Jets are going to have to find a way to get points out of almost every game going down the stretch. The next one is with the Sabres, Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
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