Jets Stars Come Through In Another Overtime Finish

Make that four straight overtime games. The Jets bested the Blackhawks 3-2 in the opener of their eight game homestand. It was a sloppy game with a ton of whistles and not a lot of quality scoring chances. The Jets turned it on late when it mattered and secured their seventh consecutive home victory over Chicago. While Winnipeg got the extra point, the Blackhawks will be content knowing their draft stock improved a little with the loss. 

Samberg gets his first goal of the season

Better late than never. Dylan Samberg scored his first goal of the season on a dish from Mark Scheifele in the first period when both teams were down a man. The shut down defenceman is known more for being reasonable in his own end rather than finding the twine, but he’ll be relieved to finally get on the board this late in the campaign. That leaves Gus Nyquist (39 games played), Colin Miller (15; injured), and Haydn Fleury (19) as Jets regulars without goals this season. That goose egg stings a little more for a forward like Nyquist than his blue liner teammates, especially when he’s looking for his next contract. But for Samberg, he’s got a crooked number in the goal column so congrats to him.

Stars came up big when it mattered

Mark Scheifele was quietly on a 5 game goalless streak entering the night. With the Jets getting peppered through the second and early third periods, you wondered if he might have a say in the final score. Well he did just that, burying the overtime winner and putting Jets fans in a good mood on the drive home. The first line hasn’t been dominant since the return from the Olympic break, but Scheifele’s three point night might give them a boost. Scheifele also got an assist on Cole Perfetti's game tying goal with 38 seconds left.

Another star who had a big game was Connor Hellebuyck. The netminder stopped multiple chances from Connor Bedard all alone in the second period. Winnipeg surrendered 15 scoring chances through the first two periods but Helle was resolute. After facing Macklin Celebrini and Bedard in back to back games, he’s earned a night off. That said, the Tampa Bay Lightning are next on the schedule so head coach Scott Arniel may call on him again Thursday night. 

Positive news on the injury front

Josh Morrissey and Colin Miller appear to be getting close to rejoining the lineup. Getting Morrissey back will add a boost of quality and confidence back to the room as they look to finish the season on a good note. The fact that the injury wasn't serious enough to keep him out longer bodes well for building momentum into next year. Adding Miller back could mean Ville Heinola rejoins the Manitoba Moose but that may look different depending on any trade moves this week.

Keep it tuned to Jets White Out with the trade deadline approaching on Friday.