Winnipeg Jets Make Statement vs Vegas, But Nashville Lurks
I like what I saw from the Winnipeg Jets against Vegas. They avenged (kinda) their playoff loss and played a sharp game all around, but can they keep it rolling against Nashville?
The Winnipeg Jets played the type of game that has been so absent this season, which is surprising considering their seat at the top of the Central Division.
But they’ve blown leads, played from behind and came out of overtimes the winner and outscored their problems, but a game in which they came out and scored first, kept the opponent at bay and scored a couple of insurance goals? Has not happened enough.
A big catalyst? Laurent Brossoit. The Winnipeg Jets went up against the defending Western Conference Champions (who are trying to surge toward the top of the Pacific, and have just two fewer points than Winnipeg after the loss), and they played their backup.
I’m not sure why they did, but I’m glad. Did they tire of Connor Hellebuyck‘s struggles? They didn’t play the day before and it wasn’t the first half of a back to back.
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They wanted to roll with Brossoit, and the move paid off. He won his seventh straight start, stopping 43 of 44 shots. That includes a franchise record 26 saves in one period (the second), which is A) impressive and B) not great defense.
But the Jets held their own on the blueline, and Brossoit picked up the rest, a thing Helly hasn’t done often enough. I wouldn’t have felt confident with a 2-1 lead in the third with Connor in net.
But I believed in Brossoit after that second period assault, and he held steady as Winnipeg added two goals with the net empty. Those ~18 minutes were intense, but impressive.
It was the kind of performance we’d been waiting to see from Winnipeg, as they killed off all six powerplays the Golden Knights had. Brossoit’s only blemish was a beautiful deflection on a floater from the blueline.
This was more of what I want to see from the Jets, and against a quality opponent. They played fast and very physical, got into passing lanes and played as well in front of a goaltender as they had all season. (Sorry, Connor).
But Nashville lurks on Thursday night, and this one isn’t in the cozy confines of Manitoba. I would be shocked to see Hellebuyck on the bench again, and if they can do this with him in the net? I’d be worried if I were the rest of the West.
Next. Jets Duo is Dynamic, but NHL is Changing. dark
But we’ll have to wait to get the results of that one. Feel good after this win, though, I bet the Jets do. Feel really good if they can keep it rolling, though, and increase that two point lead in the division (albeit with two games in hand).