Last night the Winnipeg Jets took on the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre in the second game of a three-game series between the Jets and Senators. Ultimately, the Jets skated to a commanding 4-1 victory in the capital city.
It was a fun game to watch for the Jets. It was by far their most impressive performance of the season and there were many positives to be taken out of this game.
The Jets have now given themselves a chance to sweep this mini-series against the Senators on home ice, Saturday night at Bell MTS Place.
The Winnipeg Jets took the lead and did not look back last night in Ottawa
Here are three talking points from the Jets second straight win against the Senators:
3. A Successful Road Trip
Last night’s win for the Jets, put the cap on their first road trip of the season. The Jets lost their first game against the Maple Leafs but stormed back with two wins in Ottawa to end the set with a 2-1-0 record.
Picking up four of an available six points in Ontario can definitely be seen as a success for the Jets, considering they were without star forward, Patrik Laine and defensive stalwarts, Dylan DeMelo, and Tucker Poolman.
This allowed the Jets to show their depth and some of the younger players stepped up. On defense, Logan Stanley performed well in his first three NHL appearances, and Ville Heinola played extremely well last night in his 14 minutes and 22 second of ice time.
Yesterday’s big win and Tuesday’s great comeback victory can be a catalyst for the Jets at the start of their 2021 sprint season.
2. Second Period Performance Seals the Deal
At the end of one period yesterday, the Jets went into the locker room up 1-0. All of the Jets prior games were close affairs and yesterday it was looking no different.
Fortunately for Winnipeg supporters, the Jets exploded in the second frame with three goals to take a commanding 4-0 lead after two.
The Jets dominated the game in the second and shut the door for any hope of a Senators comeback. Winnipeg doubled Ottawa in shots, sixteen to eight, in the frame and looked strong and solid the whole period.
For the first time this season, the Jets were playing with a lead rather than chasing the game and they played well protecting and increasing their lead.
1. Top Forwards Lead the Way
As we have mentioned many times before, the Winnipeg Jets may have the most dynamic top-two lines in the NHL. Not many teams are lucky enough to have the talent the Jets have up front and that talent was on full display last night.
Connor, Ehlers, Scheifele, and Wheeler had a combined seven points (three goals and four assists) in yesterday’s contest and carried the Jets to victory.
The Jets fourth goal, by Blake Wheeler, was a thing of beauty and was a great tick-tack-toe passing play between the Jets’ captain, Scheifele, and Ehlers. The goal can be seen below:
It was extremely fun to watch the Jets star players yesterday and when they are on their game the Jets are a tough team to beat.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What impressed you the most from the Jets yesterday evening? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats and Videos Provided by the NHL*