Last night the Winnipeg Jets opened the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-1 victory at Rogers Place in Edmonton against the heavily favored Oilers.
Going into game one the Jets chances of winning the series were understandably viewed as slim. They limped into the playoffs with a 2 – 7 regular season record against the Oilers, and were 3 – 9 in their last 12 games before the playoffs.
In addition, the Jets were without two of their top six forwards for the game – Nikolaj Ehlers and Pierre Luc Dubois. Both players are hopeful to return later in the series, but their absences from the line up were huge.
In a season where Connor McDavid scored 22 points in nine games against the Winnipeg Jets, he was held scoreless in game one against Winnipeg
His superstar teammate Leon Draisaitl was also held off the score sheet in game one. I do not expect that trend to continue, but for one game the Jets did manage to control two of hockey’s best offensive players.
Here are three talking points from yesterday’s Jets win:
3. The Jets depth players contributed
I would be very surprised if any fan anywhere in the world picked Tucker Poolman or Dominic Tonitato in their playoff fantasy pool. Yet, both players contributed key goals last night and along with the Jets’ bottom six forwards and bottom pair defense, demonstrated how depth players can have important roles in the playoffs.
Tonitato’s goal on a tip in from a Logan Stanley point shot proved to be the game winner. Stanley along with Poolman were steady and physical as the Jets third defense pair. Paul Maurice commented that he was pushed by the other assistant coaches to insert Tonitato into the line up, which turned out to be the right decision.
Paul Maurice says the biggest driver to play Dominic Toninato came from a push by the other coaches on his staff.
— Murat Ates (@WPGMurat) May 20, 2021
"They were right."
Nate Thompson chipped in two assists for the Jets. If the Jets are to win this series their bottom six is going to have out play the Oilers bottom six. Mission accomplished at least for game one.
2. The Jets were physical but disciplined
The Jets finished the game with a total of 68 hits. Their previous high this season in terms of total hits in a game was 43.
Multiple players had more than three hits on the evening with Adam Lowry, Logan Stanley and Neal Pionk leading the team. Pionk had an exchange with McDavid at the close of the first period that caused the Oilers’ superstar to react with a few well placed gloves to Pionk’s face.
Despite playing such physical hockey, the Jets only ended up with two minutes in penalties. If you had to summarize a strategy against the Oilers, that would be it – physical yet disciplined. Physical enough to slow down their break out passes to their two superstars, yet disciplined enough to avoid giving opportunities for the Oilers to roll out their NHL best power play.
1. Connor Helleybuyck was excellent
It is no secret that for the Jets to have any playoff success they would need excellent goaltending. Hellebuyck was fantastic last night as he faced 33 shots in total, including a 16 shot second period barrage.
When Hellebuyck is at his best he is one of the best goalies in the NHL at anticipating where shots are coming from and limiting rebounds. Last night he was on point and also limited his puck handling, which is not one of his strengths.
If Hellebuyck stays dialed in like this the Jets have a chance at advancing in the playoffs.
The Jets will look to repeat the same winning recipe Friday night in Edmonton for game two. Check back tomorrow morning for our game preview!
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What do you think the Winnipeg Jets need to do to win game two against the Oilers? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the NHL*