With just one loss away from being mathematically eliminated from the 2017 NHL playoffs, the Winnipeg Jets played one of those games tonight that really make one scratch one's head. I'm not talking about too many times this year when they made me want to chuck my television out the window because of bonehead plays or stupid penalties, or hey, how about the numerous times they allowed their opponent to score in the last minute? Should I even mention their "own" goals?
No, this time I'm actually talking about the Jets performing well with good fore-checking, puck possession and strong goal-tending. The head-scratching comes into play when you wonder why didn't they play like this for at least 10 or so games that they let get away throughout the year. Yeah, yeah. Every team says that every year. Well, not if you're Chicago, Washington, Anaheim, Pittsburgh or the New York Rangers, but, I digress.
The Laine-less Jets won 2-1 after playing smart hockey with almost no frills like they were away from the MTS Centre. The Finnish phenom has an undisclosed "illness."
The Jets' power-play came alive a bit in this one, as they put two goals behind Canucks net-minder, Ryan Miller with the extra attacker. One scored by Mathieu Perreault on a nice feed from captain Blake Wheeler and the other from Adam Lowry. Mark Scheifele failed to get his thirtieth, which would be a career-high for him; but he did get the second assist on Perreault's goal. Scheifele now has 76 points on the year.
Micheal Hutchinson started in net for the Jets on this night. Other than his mis-step against Los Angeles, Hutch has been strong these last three starts and he's got three wins in his last two starts, plus coming in to save the game against Minnesota last Sunday after starter Connor Hellebuyck gave up three goals in 4:41 and was pulled...again.
But this was all for not as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Arizona Coyotes tonight, officially eliminating the Jets from payoff contention.
