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Winnipeg Jets Score A Touchdown on the Flyers, Show They’re Legit

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - DECEMBER 9: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets high fives fans as he leaves the ice after receiving first star honours in a 7-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell MTS Place on December 9, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - DECEMBER 9: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets high fives fans as he leaves the ice after receiving first star honours in a 7-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell MTS Place on December 9, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets are a team that can outscore their problems. They’re seventh in goals despite having a game in hand over most teams. But they might not have to outscore their problems for long.

The Winnipeg Jets put up a touchdown on the Flyers on Sunday afternoon, which was fitting. Also, I hate the Flyers and it’s fun to watch them suffer through a loss like this.

Winnipeg had SEVEN different goal scorers, too. Somehow, one of them was not Patrik Laine, although he did have two assists. To be fair, I think if I laced up my skates and put on the second line, I could’ve picked up at least one helper.

Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, Brandon Tanev, Dustin Byfuglien, Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little and Tyler Myers did the honors. Three of the team’s top four goal scorers didn’t score, and they put up SEVEN goals.

Yes, the Flyers are in last place. Yes, I’m thrilled with this news. But still, you gotta execute. And Winnipeg has. They’re seventh in the league in goals, and climbing, after a slow start.

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Dustin Byfuglien and Josh Morrissey are both back from injuries, which is great, since they’re the team’s best two blueliners.

But perhaps more importantly, Connor Hellebuyck just had the best three start stretch of his season. It’s only the second time he’s gone three straight games with a save percentage that started with a nine. Not ideal, but if he can turn the corner, this team will take off (no pun intended).

He’s posted a .967 save percentage and a 1.00 GAA in those three games, too. Yes, the competition was mediocre, but they’ve faced plenty of mediocre competition in the past.

And yes, he’s looked like he might have turned the corner previously, only to end up covered in feces in the bed all over again. I hope that’s not the case this time, but this is the best he’s looked.

Yes, Philly is terrible, but they can score still. Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek are very, very good offensive players.

And if this team can defend, they’ll outscore every other issue. The Jets have two players over a point per game after 29 contests: Wheeler with 37 and Mark Scheifele with 35. Then Laine and Kyle Connor have 26 points in 29 games. This offense is unreal.

They don’t need to be the Nashville Predators back on the blueline, but they should still look for improvements. If Connor Hellebuyck stays steady, things will be okay for the Jets. They’ll be back to looking like Cup Contenders™.

dark. Next. Michael Del Zotto and the Left Defense Woes

He’s sitting now at a .910 save percentage, which is starting to get toward solidity. Highest he’s been since the first week of the season. And the Jets are still a few points behind the Avalanche and Predators, but they’re rising. And there’s no reason for them to stop now.

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