3 Talking Points: Winnipeg Jets Lose 3-2 to Flames + Kraken Preview

Here are three talking points from the Winnipeg Jets’ loss versus the Calgary Flames and a game preview of the Jets’ Sunday night matchup versus the Kraken.

The Winnipeg Jets started a quick two-game, back-to-back road trip with a Saturday evening matchup against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

This game pitted the Jets who were riding high with a seven-game point streak, three-game winning streak, and off to their best start in franchise history against the Flames who were on a seven-game losing streak (0-5-2 record).

The Jets did not make any changes to their lineup from their last game in which they beat the Dallas Stars 5-1. Connor Hellebuyck got the start in goal in tonight’s game.

This game was a tough battle for the Jets, but they ultimately came up short by one goal to lose 3-2.

Here are three talking points from Winnipeg’s loss in Calgary and a quick preview of Winnipeg’s game tonight against Seattle:

4. The Win and Point Streaks Come to an End for the Winnipeg Jets

It has been a great run for the Jets. On October 24, the Jets broke a two-game losing streak with an impressive 4-0 shutout win over the St. Louis Blues and they have had a terrific run since.

Since that win over the Blues, leading up to last night’s game, the Jets were on a seven-game point streak which was comprised of three separate three-game winning streaks with an overtime loss in between.

In these seven contests, the Jets posted a 6-0-1 record and picked up 13 of a possible 14 points which has helped point them in a tie for first place in the Central Division with the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars.

Unfortunately for the Jets, they lost a close contest versus the Flames in this one and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back versus the Kraken.

3. Pierre-Luc Dubois Continues His Hot Streak

Dubois started last season on a great streak where he had eleven points through his first nine games of the season and he has started this season in a similar form.

Through thirteen games this season, Dubois has an impressive seven goals and five assists for a total of 12 points.

Last night, the twenty-four-year-old scored the game tying goal in the second period to make it 2-2 on a beautiful passing play.

Mason Appleton had the puck in the offensive zone corner and worked the puck high to Neal Pionk. Pionk then moved the puck to Josh Morrissey who was making his way towards the Flames’ net. Morrissey then made a terrific pass to Dubois who was wide open on the back door and slotted the puck into the open net.

Dubois has started this season extremely well and continued to show his worth last night. He has found his goal scoring touch and is proving to be a handful for opposition defenses.

2. Flames Shorthanded Goal is the Difference

The Jets had a great opportunity in the final two minutes of the second period when they went on the man advantage. The game was tied at 2-2 and the Jets had the chance to take their first lead of the game.

Winnipeg won the faceoff back to Kyle Connor who released a quick shot to the net, but the shot was blocked by Noah Hannifin. The Flames’ defenseman then lifted the puck high into the neutral zone and it became a two-on-one for the Flames against Josh Morrissey.

As Mikael Backlund entered the offensive zone, Morrissey slid to disrupt and pass, but Backlund made a great pass to former Jets player, Trevor Lewis who had a mini-breakaway.

Lewis then made a slick move as he faked a shot on his forehand to force Hellebuyck to slide to his glove side, and then move the puck to his backhand to evade Hellebuyck and put the puck into the net.

Lewis’s goal proved to stand as the game winner in this one. In all, the Jets’ powerplay struggled in the loss.

Winnipeg’s man advantage went zero for three on the night and Winnipeg did not even record a shot on the man advantage, which included over a minute of a five-on-three powerplay.

Currently, the Jets’ powerplay has an 18.6% success rate which is the ninth worst in the NHL.