With a 2-1 lead in the third period, the Winnipeg Jets found another way to lose last night, as they allowed the Los Angeles Kings to come back tie the game with 5:08 left in the third and win in overtime, 3-2. Jeff carter scored the winner for L.A.
They had the Kings running around. They were winning the battle among the boards, and despite an early Kings lead, the Jets did eventually start to reclaim the pace of the game and seemed to be poised to control it. Alas...
Starting goal-tender, Michael Hutchinson was steady, as was the Jets penalty-killing unit, and they started to use their speed advantage for a much-needed momentum switch; but to no avail as Kings goalie Peter Budaj was rock solid and more than up to the challenge. A monumental save on a Blake Wheeler breakaway pretty much permanently tilted the ice in the Kings' favour. He also robbed Bryan Little of a glorious chance at an open net about half way through the first period.
This will not do. The talk on Winnipeg Jets fan boards and Facebook posts are about bringing back Ondrej Pavelec from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. That's not going to happen. Pavelec's contract expires at the end of this season, and the Jets brass have been quite clear about how they are committed to the youth movement in the goalie department. Moose goalie Eric Comrie is not quite ready for the show just yet. Maybe two or three more seasons.
Connor Hellebuyck has a problem with the five-hole, that is obvious. Hutchinson seems to be more stoic in net lately when given the chance. His lateral movements seem to be more confident. I don't think either Jets net-minders have done a stellar job, but that's the tandem we have. The defensive breakdowns in front of both men surely don't help their numbers or confidence.
With three losses in a row and the Jets set to take on the San Jose Sharks, who will certainly show the Jets no quarter, it's do or die time for the Jets. With the NHL All-Star game on the horizon, that marks the halfway point of the NHL season, the Jets better add a few "W's" to their record, or they may as well start planning for the lottery and draft. So? Will this summer give us a Top 10 pick?
