3 Talking Points: Winnipeg Jets Win Preseason Home Opener vs. Senators
The Winnipeg Jets had their preseason home opener last night against the Ottawa Senators at the Canada Life Centre.
Many expected the Jets to win this one considering the Jets had many NHL regulars in their lineup, while the Senators had a largely young and inexperienced roster.
But as we all know, the game is not played out on paper. The fact that a large majority of these players are battling for roster spots made this an interesting matchup to watch.
The Winnipeg Jets skated to a 5-3 win for their first win of the 2022 preseason
Here are three talking points from the Jets’ 5-3 victory over the Senators:
3. Kyle Connor Picks Up Where He Left Off
2022 Lady Byng Trophy winner, Kyle Connor, made his preseason debut against Ottawa and showed why he was arguably the most valuable player for the Jets last season.
In this game, Connor looked to be in mid-season form. He played on a line with Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers. He had two assists, which are highlighted in the next two slides, and also added a goal.
The twenty-five-year-old led the game with three points and was impressive to watch throughout. It will be interesting to see if Rick Bowness decides to keep this trio of Connor, Scheifele, and Ehlers together throughout the preseason.
2. Eyssimont Continues his Fantastic Preseason
Although the Jets are less than a week into their training camp, some players have already started to make great cases for themselves to make the Jets’ opening night roster.
One Jets player who has been consistently highly praised so far is Michael Eyssimont. The former 2016 Los Angeles Kings fifth-round pick signed with the Jets during the 2021 offseason and played a full season with the Manitoba Moose last season and only appeared in one NHL game with the Jets.
The twenty-six-year-old has been a force so far this training camp and continued his great run of form against Ottawa.
In this contest, Eyssimont logged 15:30 of ice time, which was the most among Jets’ forwards who were not full-time players on Winnipeg’s roster last year. He was also a key figure on the Jets’ powerplay in this game.
Eyssimont was able to score his first goal of this preseason on the man advantage. Playing with Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Josh Morrissey, Eyssimont was the net-front player.
As the Jets worked the puck from low to high and across the blueline, Eyssimont moved from behind the goal to in front of Ottawa’s goaltender. Connor then released a shot from the point, which Eyssimont redirected to tie the game for the Jets.
Besides the goal, Eyssimont was terrific on the forecheck and was tenacious on the puck. He added a dynamic aspect to the Jets’ lineup.
Eyssimont’s performance in Winnipeg’s victory showed why there is a lot of excitement around the Colorado native. If Eyssimont continues playing this way, there is no doubt in my mind, that he will be on the Jets’ season opening roster.
1. Torgersson Steals The Show
Another player who impressed in this win was twenty-year-old, Daniel Torgersson. The Swedish-born forward made his NHL preseason debut on a line with fellow prospects, Henri Nikkanen and Alex Limoges.
One part of Torgersson’s game that impressed me was his ability to get to quiet ice in the offensive zone. Torgersson scored two goals in the victory and in both of his goals, he worked his way to the slot and was able to put himself in a position to receive a pass and have a high-quality scoring chance.
Fortunately for Torgersson, he was able to score on both of these opportunities on fantastic shots. On his first goal, Torgersson worked his way from behind the Senators’ goal line, while Kyle Connor was looking for a lane to the net.
As Connor had the puck, Torgersson found his way to the high slot and was wide open. Connor then delivered a fantastic pass and Torgersson one-timed the puck into the back of the net to open the scoring.
KC zig zags to set up the opening goal! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Icpm95wUtr
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) September 28, 2022
Torgersson scored in a similar fashion in the second period. The Jets were on the forecheck and Torgersson found his way to the slot. The Jets were able to retrieve the puck and Limoges made a quick passing play to Torgersson who was wide open right in front of the crease.
Torgersson again fired a one-timer past Ottawa’s goaltender, who had no chance of stopping this one.
Torgy puts us back on!! 🔝 pic.twitter.com/0eXtPpzb71
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) September 28, 2022
The Jets’ former 2020 second-round draft choice showed his hockey IQ and goal-scoring abilities versus the Senators and was one of the top players of the game for the Jets.
Torgersson may not make the Jets at the end of camp, but he has already shown his potential. The young forward can be a mainstay for the Jets in the future and it will be interesting to watch him in his first full season in North America.
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The Jets’ next preseason game will be on Thursday night as they head to Montreal to take on the Canadiens.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Who would you pick as the player of this game from the Winnipeg Jets? Leave your comments below!
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