Winnipeg Jets: Three Talking Points as the Jets Beat the Wild 2-0
The Winnipeg Jets took on the Minnesota Wild at the Canada Life Centre. Here are three talking points from the Jets versus Wild game.
The Winnipeg Jets returned from the all-star break with an important Central Division matchup against the Minnesota Wild on home-ice.
Three of the four players who were recalled yesterday (Heinola, Kovacevic, and Reichel) due to the Jets adding players to the COVID-19 Protocol, were inserted directly into the lineup and Connor Hellebuyck started in goal for the Jets.
The Jets were able to secure two points and won their first game since the all-star break as they beat the Wild 3-0. Here are three talking points from the Jets’ win:
3. Winnipeg Supporters Were Back in the Arena
Although this has little to do with what transpired on the ice, this game was the first time since Winnipeg’s December 19th, 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues that they got to play in front of their fans. Ultimately, the Jets gave their fans plenty of cheer tonight as they picked up a big shutout win over a division rival.
Although the Jets only allowed for 50 percent capacity for this game, it was nice to see fans filling up the seats and cheering on their team, and giving them a boost, especially when you consider the fact that other teams located in Canada do not have the opportunity to have their fans in their rinks.
The Jets played a physical brand of hockey which included three fights in the game and they seemed to feed off of the home support.
Oddly enough, the Jets lost both their home games in January that were played with no spectators in the crowd. It was great to see the Jets get a crucial home victory in front of their loyal supporters and the Jets will definitely need that energy again during their next home game on next Wednesday when they host the Chicago Blackhawks.
2. The Jets Start the Second Half of the Season on a High Note
This was the first post-all-star break game for the Jets and it can be considered somewhat as the start of the second half of the season, although this was game forty-three of eighty-two.
The Jets entered this game sixteen points behind the Wild who sit in third place in the division standings and every point from here on out is crucial for the Jets.
Winnipeg was struggling mightly before the break. They entered this matchup after they lost seven of their last eight games that led up to the all-star weekend.
Fortunately, the Jets started the post-break on an extremely high note with a great team victory against the Wild who were on a six-game winning streak.
The Jets won this playoff-type, low-scoring, and physical game, which can be a big boost as they have some more crucial games against divisional opponents over the next week.
The Jets are going to need a similar effort in their upcoming games. Winnipeg is going to need to string wins together if they want to have any shot of chasing down a playoff spot. Hopefully, this win gives Winnipeg momentum going into their next games.
1. A Vintage Connor Hellebuyck Performance
Just like the Jets’ struggles, Connor Hellebuyck entered this game struggling like we have not seen at any point throughout his career. He was riding a seven-game winless streak and up to this point of the season, he has amassed a career season-high save goals against average and his second worst season save percentage.
Then you take into account that the Jets were facing the Wild, who have the third best goals per game average, this was going to be no easy task for Hellebuyck and the Jets defense.
But Hellebuyck was back to his old tricks and performed like the Hellebuyck of seasons prior to propel the Jets to the win.
The twenty-eight-year-old made every save when called upon. Whether it was an open shot or a shot through traffic, Hellebuyck had perfect positioning to make the save and he had great rebound control to deny the Wild secondary scoring opportunities.
Also, Winnipeg’s defense in front of him did a great job of limiting the Wild’s high percentage scoring chances and Winnipeg was credited with 10 takeaways on the night.
Hellebuyck was without a doubt the first star of the game as he stopped all twenty-seven shots he faced. It was great to watch Hellebucyk break his losing streak and watch a great defensive effort from the Jets. Hopefully, this performance is a sign of things to come from the former Vezina Trophy Winner.
The Jets will be back on the road for their next two games as they head to Dallas to take on the Stars on Friday night and follow that game up with a matchup in Nashville against the Predators on Saturday evening. After that back-to-back, the Jets will have a four-game homestand from February fourteenth through the nineteenth.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What are your reactions to the Jets’ performance versus the Wild? Leave your comments below!
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