The Winnipeg Jets matched up against the Montreal Canadiens yesterday in the second game of a two-game series between the sides at Bell MTS Place. This was also the last Jet’s home game before their seven-game road trip.
Winnipeg was looking to bounce back after Monday’s game. The Jets played extremely sloppy and Montreal was able to capitalize on a couple of bad Jets turnovers. Ultimately the Canadiens won the game 4-2.
Paul Maurice and the Jets coaching staff decided to give the same lineup another chance last night as they looked to split the series against the Canadiens.
The decision paid off as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in Overtime
Here are three talking points from yesterday’s game:
3. The Winnipeg Jets Fly Right Out of the Gate
After the Jets’ disappointing outing on Monday, many fans expected a big response from Winnipeg from the opening puck drop.
Yesterday the Jets attacked right from the start. They had a great forecheck at the start of the game.
Montreal rimmed the puck behind their net to the far sideboards for their breakout, but Derek Forbort stepped up and pressured the Canadiens winger on the boards.
Paul Stastny then got the loose puck and passed to Forbort on the point. Forbort then passed the puck to the slot where Blake Wheeler chipped the puck around the Canadiens player and shot it blocker side on Price to give the Jets a 1-0 lead less than a minute into the game.
This goal was exactly what the Jets needed to start the game. They were relentless on the forecheck and it caused a goal.
2. The Jets Give Up a Two-Goal Lead in the Third
The Jets played well throughout the first two periods yesterday and were rewarded with a 3-1 lead after two.
Instead of staying on the attack, the Jets tried to defend the lead in the third and Montreal threw all they had at Connor Hellebuyck’s net.
While outshooting the Jets 17-10 in the third, Montreal scored two goals to tie the game and force it into overtime.
It is also worth noting that Hellebuyck made some outstanding saves during the final frame and the Canadiens could have easily scored more than two goals in the final twenty minutes.
Fortunately for the Jets, they did find a way to win this game but they can ill-afford to give up third period leads as we head to the final stretch of the season.
1. Nikolaj Ehlers Scores the OT Winner
The Jets have been absolutely outstanding this year in Overtime as have only dropped one game so far this season in three-on-three action.
Although the Jets gave up a two-goal lead, there was still a confidence that they were going to get the job done in OT.
The Jets came up the ice on a three-on-one in extra time and Nikolaj Ehlers decided to look off a pass to Pierre-Luc Dubois and instead fired the puck past Carey Price to seal the victory for the Jets.
This goal was a thing of beauty and is Ehlers’ team-high fourth game winning goal. This win puts the Jets in a tie for second place in the North Division with the Oilers and two points behind the Maple Leafs who are in first. Winnipeg also has three games in hand on Edmonton and one in hand on Toronto.
The Winnipeg Jets are back in action tonight as they begin their road trip in Edmonton against the Oilers tonight. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. central time.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Should the Jets make any lineup changes for tonight’s game after they got the win last night? Leave your comments below!
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