On Sunday night, the Winnipeg Jets entered the third period versus the New York Rangers down by one goal. Winnipeg threw everything they had at Igor Shesterkin including 17 shots, but failed to find the equalizing goal and ultimately lost 4-1.
Last night, the Jets had a chance at redemption against a different outstanding goaltender and team. This time the Jets started the third period tied 3-3 against one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Winnipeg Jets scored four goals in the third to put away the Tampa Bay Lightning
Winnipeg got a powerplay before the midway point of the third and made the man advantage count as Pierre-Luc Dubois scored.
Then under two minutes later, the Lightning had a powerplay and a great chance to tie the game, but the Jets’ penalty killers stepped up in a huge way as they scored a shorthanded goal and successfully killed the penalty.
Kyle Connor made a great play when the Lightning turned the puck over to get a breakaway. He then made an outstanding move around Vasilevskiy to give the Jets a two-goal lead.
Jon Cooper decided to pull Vasilevskiy with over six minutes in the game when the teams were playing four-on-four to give the Lightning a “powerplay” with the extra attacker. The Jets made Cooper pay for this decision as Josh Morrissey scored a long-range empty net goal to extend the Jets lead.
The Lightning were able to score in the final minutes of the game and then pulled their goaltender again. Paul Stastny scored the Jets’ second empty netter of the game and the Jets held on to win 7-4.
The Jets looked strong and solid in the final frame and were the deservedly winners of this game. After being shutout by the Rangers in the third on Sunday, it was fantastic to watch the Jets bounce back and score four in the third against one of the top teams in the NHL.
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After completing this four-game homestand with a 2-1-1 record and picking up a possible five of eight points available, the Jets will be back on the road for their next three games as they take on the New Jersey Devils (Thursday), New York Islanders (Friday), and St. Louis Blues (Sunday).
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