The Winnipeg Jets have turned around their early-season road woes and have already turned their second road trip into a successful one.
Yesterday, the Jets went to Los Angeles to take on the struggling Kings in their second game of this three-game California trip.
Winnipeg made one lineup change for this matchup as Eric Comrie got his first start in goal and replaced Connor Hellebuyck who started the Jets’ prior six games.
The Winnipeg Jets won another close game as they extended their win streak to four games
The Jets started the game well yesterday as Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his fifth goal of the season on a wrap-around that beat a sliding Jonathan Quick.
Unfortunately for Winnipeg, their lead only lasted about eight minutes as Rasmus Kupari scored his first goal of the new campaign to tie the game. The teams ended the first period tied at 1-1.
The Kings were able to take the lead in the early stages of the second period courtesy of Adrian Kempe. The play was tough to watch from a Winnipeg Jets standpoint. The Jets had a couple of defensive lapses and could not clear the puck out of their defensive end. Kempe was able to pick up a loose puck in the slot and fire a great shot past Comrie.
Los Angeles had the better of the play for the rest of the second period, but the Jets weathered the storm and kept their deficit at one goal.
At the start of the third period, Winnipeg had a powerplay and they made the Kings pay with a terrific passing play. The Jets worked the puck from low to high and back to Kyle Connor who was standing on the circle to the left of Quick.
Instead of shooting the puck on net, Connor sent a pass to Andrew Copp who was in the slot and skating to the front of the net. Copp then redirected the puck into the back of the net to tie the game.
Five minutes later, the Jets were able to reclaim the lead on a three-on-two rush. Kyle Connor had the puck entering the offensive zone and Pierre-Luc Dubois was skating towards the net and dragging a Kings’ defenseman with him.
Connor then delivered a pass to Dubois who tipped the puck with his backhand to beat Quick and give Winnipeg a 3-2 lead.
Winnipeg then defended extremely well in the final twelve minutes of the contest to seal the 3-2 victory and claim all two points from the game.
3 Winners
Pierre-Luc Dubois: 2 goals including the game winning goal
Kyle Connor: 3 assists
Eric Comrie: 30 saves on 32 shots faced in his first start
With this win, the Jets’ win streak is now at four games and their point streak is at five games. The Jets finish their trip tomorrow night as they faceoff against the San Jose Sharks.
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