Winnipeg Jets Lose Ground to Blues in Divisional Matchup
The Winnipeg Jets hosted the St. Louis Blues to keep their distance in the division. Long story short, they couldn’t. St. Louis took home two points with a convincing 5-2 win over Winnipeg.
I should amend, Jake Allen ended up starting this game, I was under the impression it was Carter Hutton. My apologies. Allen still ended up besting the Winnipeg Jets. This was a bruising game in the first. It only featured 14 total shots! Fourteen! Only five were from the Jets side of things.
Dustin Byfuglien was a brick wall in the first. He was a force, knocking over Blues players and being stout on the back end. Patrik Laine actually left in the first with an injury, but returned in the second to the great relief of everyone in Winnipeg. Andrew Copp had a shot at Jake Allen off of a turnover, but it was blockered aside. We hit the second, still scoreless.
Vladimir Tarasenko made certain that it did not remain that way. 4 minutes and 18 seconds in, he ripped his 22nd goal top shelf over the shoulder of Connor Hellebuyck. I found out Tarasenko is third in goals the last three seasons, behind Patrick Kane and Alexander Ovechkin. Either way, Josh Morrissey had a bit of a miscommunication, leading to a turnover for Tarasenko.
Connor Hellebuyck played okay for the Winnipeg Jets. Shortly after the Tarasenko goal, he robbed Ivan Barbashev, who was all alone in front of the net. Unfortunately, on the next sequence, he was beaten on a deflection from Patrick Berglund. 2-0 Blues. At this point, halfway through, Winnipeg had only nine shots on goal. Not great. A suffocating game from St. Louis. Big credit to them.
Alexander Steen scored a bit later on a big rebound. Not the best game from Hellebuyck, but he’s earned a little leeway. The Blues got the first powerplay later in the period. This actually marked 187 times the Jets have been shorthanded. They’ve had the man advantage..187 times. Odd. This would not remain.
Kyle Connor and the fourth line slipped a goal past Allen to bring us into the third with St. Louis nursing the most dangerous lead in hockey.
A game that featured a decent amount of action stuck into 90 seconds, the rest of the contest featured no passing lanes and tight defense.
In the third, Connor Hellebuyck tried his best. He’s started in 78% of Winnipeg’s games this season, by the way. He just couldn’t keep them silent. Saved an odd-man rush from Tarasenko. Patrik Laine scored his sixth goal in seven games against the Blues. The Jets were within one.
Unfortunately, Tarasenko sunk the Jets right after. He netted his 23rd, and the Jets were on the ropes at 4-2. Jaden Schwartz later got the rare EN/SHG to end the Jets hopes at 5-3.
White Out’s Three Stars
- Vladimir Tarasenko – Was the best player on the ice. He should be every time he steps on it when he’s not facing the Oilers or Penguins. Two goals, seven shots.
- Jake Allen – Didn’t even start, if you ask me. But he was solid. Save percentage in the .900’s isn’t great, but he kept the Jets at bay.
- Winnipeg Jets Fourth Line – They scored a grind-it-out goal. Jack Roslivic fought forechecked them into a goal for Connor. It was inspired. It was solid.
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What’s Next?
The Jets will face the New York Rangers for a Sunday matinee. Might be an audition for some of the Rangers, who should be selling before the deadline. I’ll be with you for the pre and post game coverage.