Goals Galore as the Winnipeg Jets Beat the Montreal Canadiens
The Winnipeg Jets beat the Montreal Canadiens in a crazy back-and-forth twelve-goal game. Here is our recap of all the action from the Jets win.
Last night the Winnipeg Jets welcomed the red-hot Montreal Canadiens to the Canada Life Centre in a rematch of the second round of last summer’s playoff.
This matchup was intriguing considering that it was the first time that Mark Scheifele and Jake Evans would face off since Scheifele’s hit on Evans in game one of the playoff series that led to Scheifele getting handed a four-game suspension.
Also, the Canadiens came into this game with the joint longest winning streak in the NHL at five games while the Jets were looking for two points to stay in the hunt in the race for a Wild Card spot.
Here is how the action unfolded in the Jets 8-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens:
3. The Winnipeg Jets Had an Incredible Start to the Game
Just over five minutes into the game, and on Winnipeg’s second shot of the game, Evgeny Svechnikov got the Jets on the board as he finished off a beautiful passing play and gave them an early 1-0 lead.
Then less than forty seconds later, Nate Schmidt scored on the Jets’ next shot to give them an early 2-0 lead.
Within the next four minutes after Schmidt’s goal, both Adam Lowry and Mark Scheifele scored to give the Jets an impressive 4-0 lead ten minutes into the game.
2. The Canadiens Answer and Stun the Jets
With the Jets’ early 4-0 lead, many people thought the Jets were going to glide to victory and perhaps have their largest victory margin of the season, but the Canadiens would not go down without a fight.
Josh Anderson was able to put the Canadiens on the board just over two minutes after Scheifele’s goal to make the scoreline 4-1.
Then in the final three minutes of the first period, Anderson scored again to make it a two-goal game. Finally a minute and a half later and in the closing stages of the opening frame, Arturri Lehkonen was able to find the back of the net and put Montreal within one of Winnipeg at the end of the first period.
Montreal then completed their comeback when Anderson scored four minutes into the second frame to tie the game at four and complete his hattrick.
The Canadiens deserve full credit for this comeback but this undoubtedly stunned the Jets who had a four-goal lead within the opening ten minutes of this contest.
1. The Jets Powerplay Comes to the Rescue
After blowing a four-goal lead, there was cause for concern regarding the Jets, but luckily their special teams stepped up during the second half of the game and propelled them to victory.
Andrew Copp scored a powerplay goal with under three minutes remaining in the second period to put the Jets back in front.
Then in the third period, the Jets scored three more powerplay goals courtesy of Mark Scheiefle, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Paul Stastny to put the Jets back ahead by a commanding four-goal lead.
Winnipeg’s powerplay provided the difference in this game as the Jets ultimately won this contest by an 8-4 scoreline. The Jets finished this contest by going an outstanding four-for-six on the man advantage and they were extremely fun to watch.
3 Winners
Mark Scheiefle: 2 Goals, 1 Assist
Nate Schmidt: 1 Goal, 1 Assist, +2 plus/minus
Josh Anderson: 3 Goals; First NHL Hattrick
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The Jets will have a couple of days off before their next contest. On Friday night, the Jets will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they host the Dallas Stars at the Canada Life Centre in a “must-win” game.
Currently, Dallas sits two points behind the Edmonton Oilers who are in the second Wild Card playoff spot while the Jets are six points behind the Oilers.
Next. Winnipeg Jets Need to Find Their Game Against Teams from the East. dark