The first period wasn't the best they did, as the Pittsburgh Penguins took a 2-0 lead by the end of the frame, but the Winnipeg Jets played a very good, disciplined, smart road game in a 4-3 overtime loss where Penguins captain Sidney Crosby captured his 1000th career point.
Of course it had to be against the Jets, right?
It had to be though. Sidney Crosby wasn't going to be denied, especially at home. He got the assist on Chris Kunitz's goal to secure his 1000th NHL point to make it 2-0. Evgeny Malkin opened the scoring at 59 seconds in. It looked like it was going to be a long night for the Jets.
But then the Jets took over. They started banging and crashing, especially Adam Lowry who registered double digits in the hitting department. It had an almost immediate effect, as the Jets took the momentum before scoring late in the second from Patrik Laine's 27th goal of the season. He is now tied with the Maple Leafs Austen Matthews for the NHL rookie goal-scoring lead.
Paul Postma scored his first of the year and Dustin Byfuglien added his eighth, as the Jets took a surprising 3-2 lead. With just over 11 minutes left in the third period, you know that wasn't enough to hold off the Stanley Cup champions. They have too much talent and there was too much time left.
Before the Pens tied it up, the bigger Jets were smashing their way through the Penguins line-up as was said. It was to the point where Malkin decided to try and rally the troops and do some hitting of his own. He did so by laying out Blake Wheeler with an obvious, but un-called contact to the head when Malkin left his feet to deliver a big shoulder to Wheeler's jaw. There came the dutiful retaliation by the Jets before Wheeler came to and tried to find Malkin beneath a pile of bodies near the Penguin bench.
Malkin sat for two for "interference." I fully expect a review of that play by the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
Connor Hellebuyck got the start again as obviously expected. He played very well and deserved a better fate. Although I did clearly notice many Penguin shots close in were directed at Helle's five-hole. As I have stated, that is his bane. But he covered it well and plainly speaking, he can't be blamed for the tying and winning goals. He didn't really have a chance on either of them.
So one point in game one of this four-game road trek. Next up are the Montréal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. A win last night would have given the Jets some much-earned momentum going into the Belle De Provence. Will the Jets build on a good game or focus on a heart-breaking loss? I believe they will do the former, but will add some extra zip if they're going to face Carey Price. A win against the Habs, although unlikely, will secure three points overall on this trip (already squashing yet another one of my brave "predictions") and give the Jets their first win in Montréal since Feb. 2, 2014. The Jets franchise is 8-21 against the Habs all-time in Montréal, so don't bet on it.
