Winnipeg Jets: 3 Talking Points from Game 3 Loss vs. Montreal Canadiens

The Winnipeg Jets came into game three against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre looking to crawl their way back into the series after losing the first two games of the best-of-seven on home ice to the Canadiens.

Winnipeg was still without Mark Scheifele as he was serving the second game of his four-game suspension and Dylan DeMelo, who is out injured. Fortunately for the Jets, Paul Stastny returned to the lineup after missing the first two games of the series.

Regardless of who was in the Jets lineup, Winnipeg knew how important winning this game was to avoid being 3-0 down in the series and one game away from being swept out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Winnipeg Jets were no match for the Montreal Canadiens as they lost game three 5-1

Here are three talking points from the Jets game three loss:

3. Jets Powerplay Allows Another Shorthanded Goal

For the second straight game, the Winnipeg Jets’ powerplay allowed a goal to the Canadiens penalty kill.

Winnipeg earned a powerplay with under seven minutes remaining in the second period and while trailing 2-0. This was a great opportunity for the Jets to start a comeback with a man advantage.

Unfortunately for Winnipeg, Stastny turned the puck over in the offensive zone when passing the puck on his backhand to the point.

Joel Armia intercepted the pass and skated down two-on-one and made a beautiful toe drag around Josh Morrissey and then ripped a shot past Connor Hellebuyck to give the Canadiens a 3-0 lead.

Full credit to Armia, he made an outstanding play and should be applauded for his efforts, but it is worth noting that Winnipeg’s special teams have let them down throughout this series.

Winnipeg’s powerplay has gone zero-for-nine up to this point in the series and has allowed three shorthanded goals to Montreal. It is tough to find a successful team with those stats.

2. Lack of Offense

For a team that has averaged more than three goals per game throughout the regular season, the Winnipeg Jets have been snake bitten the past two games.

Montreal’s defense along with Carey Price have shut down the Jets and they put on another great performance in tonight’s game.

The Canadiens limited the Jets to 13 shots throughout the first two periods tonight and when the Jets threw everything they had at the Canadiens net in the third, Montreal stood strong and weathered the storm.

Winnipeg is successful when their defense joins the rush and when they get pucks threw to the net in the offensive zone, which was nowhere to be seen tonight.

The Jets were stifled by the Canadiens again and if the Jets want to stay alive, they need to start scoring.

1. One Game Away From Elimination

This is it for the Winnipeg Jets. After tonight’s loss, the Jets are just one more loss away from ending their season.

Winnipeg is looking to do what very few teams have done in the past: crawl out of a 3-0 series deficit.

Throughout the season, the Jets have always found a way to respond to adversity and they must do this again to avoid getting swept by the Canadiens.

There will be limited time to rest for these teams as the Winnipeg Jets look to keep their season alive in game four tomorrow night (June 7) at 7:00 p.m. central time. Check back to our site tomorrow morning for pregame coverage!

Winnipeg Jets Fans: What lineup changes should the Winnipeg Jets make for game four? Leave your comments below!

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