Although the Winnipeg Jets are still in the first half of the 2021-2022 regular season, yesterday’s game versus the St. Louis Blues was extremely important for them.
The Jets were on a three-game losing streak and falling down the Central Division standings and they were coming up against a team that had won two straight and sat eight points ahead of them in the Division.
Also, it was Dave Lowry’s second game as Jets head coach after Paul Maurice resigned on Friday morning. The Jets’ coaching staff did make some lineup changes for this game. Kristian Reichel and C.J. Suess came into the lineup. This game was Reichel’s NHL debut.
Dave Lowry got his first win as the Winnipeg Jets got a crucial regulation victory over the St. Louis Blues
The game was even in the first period, but never side could capitalize on their chances and the first frame ended scoreless.
Nikolaj Ehlers then started the second period with a goal to give the Jets the 1-0 lead. Paul Stastny made a fantastic backhand pass to set up Ehlers who was in the slot. This assist was Stastny’s 500th career assist.
About ten minutes later, the Blues were able to tie the game courtesy of a slick give-and-go play between Vladimir Tarasenko and Ivan Barbashev.
But the Jets showed their adversity and responded extremely well after losing their lead. Just minutes after Tarasenko’s goal, Mark Scheifele put the Jets back in front with a quick release wrist shot from the slot and Winnipeg entered the third period with a one-goal lead.
The Jets started the third period like they finished the second and Stastny scored on a sharp angle shot to beat Jordan Binnington to give Winnipeg a 3-1 lead.
The Blues did not go down without a fight. The Jets were given a powerplay with under seven minutes left in the game and Niko Mikkola scored a shorthanded goal to put the Blues back within one.
Then just sixteen seconds later, Stastny scored his second goal of the night on the powerplay to retain the Jets’ two-goal lead.
The Jets then shut the door on the Blues in the final minutes of the third to earn two points with the 4-2 win. This win snapped Winnipeg’s three-game losing steak and was Lowry’s first win as head coach.
3 Winners
Kristian Reichel: Made NHL Debut
Nikolaj Ehlers: 1 goal, 3 assists
Paul Stastny: 2 goals, 1 assist. Registered his 500th career assist
The Christmas break is starting early for the Jets as the NHL postponed all cross-border games through December 26 which means the Jets’ next two games are postponed. Originally the Jets were supposed to play back-to-back games versus the Predators and Stars on Tuesday and Wednesday, but they are no postponed. This means the next time the Jets are scheduled to be in action is on December 27 when they host the Minnesota Wild.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Are you happy with where the Winnipeg Jets stand at the Christmas break? Leave your comments below!