Winnipeg Jets: Three Talking Points as Jets Win Game Two OT Thriller
The Winnipeg Jets went into last night’s game two against the Edmonton Oilers looking to take a 2-0 series lead.
Winnipeg knew that Edmonton would give them a tough fight considering the Jets won game one by a three-goal margin.
The Jets made one lineup change for yesterday’s crucial game two. Pierre-Luc Dubois returned from injury and Kristian Vesalinen was scratched due to Dubois’ return.
Last night’s game was fantastic to watch as both starting goaltenders played outstanding and neither team scored a goal throughout regulation. Game two needed overtime to decided this contest
Paul Stastny scored the overtime winner for the Winnipeg Jets to give them a thrilling 1-0 victory
Here are three talking points from the Jets’ game two overtime Win:
3. Jets Shut Down McDavid for the Second Straight Game
One of the keys to the game when playing the Oilers is to shut down, the NHL’s leading scorer and arguably best player, Connor McDavid.
The Jets did a great job of this in game one and held McDavid to two shots. Winnipeg knew that to have success again in game two they must limit McDavid’s time on the puck.
Winnipeg did exactly that in yesterday’s game two. They limited McDavid to five shots on net and he also had a team leading three giveaways in the game.
After just 1 goal in a Gm1 loss Wednesday, the #Oilers couldn't muster a single tally in their OT loss to the Jets Friday. Now down 2-0 in Rd1, EDM will have to get an offence going that has tied for the lowest total on this list of starts to a playoff series in franchise history pic.twitter.com/mFZwBa7PeB
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) May 22, 2021
It will be interesting to see if the Oilers make any adjustments to their lines to create more space for McDavid for game three and how the Jets will respond to any changes.
2. Connor Hellebuyck was Outstanding Once Again
Connor Hellebuyck was the star of the game in game one on Wednesday night and was the first star of the game again yesterday.
Hellebuyck stopped all 38 shots he faced yesterday en route to picking up the shutout victory. Hellebuyck is in elite company as he is the third goaltender in NHL history to shutout the Oilers in Edmonton in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
When Hellebuyck is on his “A-Game” the Jets are an extremely tough team to beat and the Jets playoff success will definitely hinge on Hellebuyck’s performances.
1. Paul Stastny- The Hero
Not many playoff games start overtime with a 0-0 scoreline, but with terrific goaltending last night’s game did.
Just over four minutes into overtime, Paul Stastny received a pass just over the Oilers’ defensive blueline and instead of making an extra pass he took a shot at the Oilers’ net.
The puck found its way through two Oilers’ defensemen and Smith to the back of the net to give the Jets the 1-0 victory. (The goal can be seen in the tweet below:)
Paul Stastny lets it rip and that's an OT winner! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/pZZRCryV4b
— NHL (@NHL) May 22, 2021
The playoffs show us time and time again that you never know what can happen when you put the puck to the net.
The Winnipeg Jets will be back on home ice for game three tomorrow night with a 6:30 p.m. central time opening puck drop. Check back tomorrow morning for our game preview!
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Should the Winnipeg Jets make any lineup changes for game three? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats and Videos Provided by the NHL*