Winnipeg Jets Blow Another Lead to Oilers, Still Win in OT
I think you’d be hard pressed for me to think of a game that made me feel worse than this one, with the Winnipeg Jets still picking up two points.
The Winnipeg Jets jumped out to another lead against the Oilers, and I immediately was worried. Well, actually, Ryan Spooner opened the scoring for Edmonton halfway through the first.
But by the end of the period, the Jets lead 2-1 thanks to Mathieu Perreault (5) and Nikolaj Ehlers (10). Patrik Laine (22) stretched it to 3-1 early in the middle period.
Now, that 3-1 lead is known as the most dangerous lead in hockey, and, wouldn’t you know, it came up here. The good part is that the Winnipeg Jets didn’t blow a third period lead.
They didn’t even get that far, surrendering three unanswered goals in just about thirteen minutes. Darnell Nurse, Jujhar Khaira and Alex Chiasson did the honors.
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I groaned when Nurse scored, almost wept when Khaira scored and accepted fate when Chiasson gave them the lead headed into the third. I was worried. Connor McDavid didn’t score a goal, but he was on it.
Big surprise there. He did have two assists but also took two penalties, which, if nothing else, got him off the ice for four minutes. It was not a great game for Connor Hellebuyck. It wasn’t a good game for Cam Talbot, either.
But Hellebuyck didn’t allow a goal in the third. I guess I’ll give the defense most of the credit, as the Jets allowed just two shots on goal in the third period and allowed zero in OT. Hard to lose in OT if the other team doesn’t get a shot on goal.
I don’t feel great about this game because of Helly’s clunker and another blown lead to the goshdarn Oilies. But the defense really tightened up, Mark Scheifele (18) tied it in the third, and Josh Morrissey (4) said, “Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself” and sniped the puck past Talbot with just 41 ticks off the clock.
I’ll take the two points. They’re important, and this is the first of a back-to-back with Chicago. Unfortunately, Nashville also won last night, so they remain ahead by 1 point. But they don’t play tonight, so the Jets could snag first place for a moment with a win tonight.
Next. Jets Offense Really Pumping. dark
But even though Winnipeg blew the lead, they tightened up and dominated. They outshot Edmonton 40-26, won the faceoff battle and won the game. Like I said, I don’t love it, but I’ll take it.
JWO’s Three Stars
- Mark Scheifele
- Connor McDavid
- Josh Morrissey