Chasing down their first-ever Central Division title and going on the road against the team chasing them, the Winnipeg Jets posted a statement win over the Dallas Stars, winning 4-0 and dominating throughout. There was plenty to take away from the most important regular season win in the Jets’ franchise history.
Jets take a stranglehold on the Central Division
With the 4-0 win on Thursday evening, the Jets move six points up on the Dallas Stars and need one more point to clinch their first-ever Central Division title officially.
A big reason as to why they were able to look their best on Thursday night was due to the re-addition of two key players. Nikolaj Ehlers and Neal Pionk both returned to the lineup in familiar roles, and both players had an immediate impact in a fast-paced, physical, playoff-style game.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
This was nothing short of an incredible performance by Winnipeg. They have strung together several “statement” wins since the Four Nations break, beating Washington, Vegas, the red-hot Blues, and now, the Dallas Stars twice.
When the games have mattered, they have stepped up, and there’s potentially no greater sign that this team is ready for the playoffs than performances such as these.
Having said that, there’s still work to be done. The Jets can secure the Central and Western Conference with just one point and currently sit three points up on the Washington Capitals for the President’s Trophy
“That’s our goal. To try and get home ice throughout the whole playoffs,” Kyle Connor said post-game. “It could be the difference down the stretch. You never know, especially the way our fans come out. We love playing in front of them.”
New career highs for Connor & Scheifele
Heading into the third period up 2-0, Winnipeg was looking to put the game away, and their top goal scorer delivered twice.
Mark Scheifele sent Kyle Connor in on a breakaway and he slid one through the five-hole of Jake Oettinger to give Winnipeg a 3-0 lead, giving Mark Scheifele a new career-high in points with 85.
It wasn’t long before Connor secured a new career-high of his own, as he scored his 40th goal of the season and second of the game just moments later, picking up his 94th point of the season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Connor has strung together what I believe is very clearly the best season of his career. Not only has his offence remained intact with 40 goals and 94 points, but he has completely revitalized his defensive game.
He has been more responsible with the puck in his zone, has made more plays in the neutral zone to turn pucks over, and puts forward several strong backchecks every single night.
He has undoubtedly improved his all-around game, and it has not come at the expense of his world-class offence.
Connor Hellebuyck = MVP
Connor Hellebuyck is doing all that he can to build his case for the Hart Trophy. Going on the road against the Stanley Cup favourite Stars, and putting up a 24-save shutout, goes near the top of the list of his strongest performances of the season.
“You honestly can’t put into words how important he is to our team,” Josh Morrissey said about his goaltender. “You think, man, I don’t know if this guy can get any better and he finds a way to.”
It was Hellebuyck’s eighth shutout of the season and his career-high 45th win of the season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Eight shoutouts for Hellebuyck this season gives him more shutouts than 27 other teams in the entire league. He has more wins than 22 of the teams in the NHL. He only has 12 regulation losses this season and looks primed to run the table on all of the major goaltender statistics.
With 61 games played, he now has a 1.99 goals against average, a .925 save percentage, a 44-12-3 record, and has saved 39.67 goals above expected, per Natural Stat Trick.
MVP.
Morgan Barron stepping up down the middle
If you experienced Deja Vu on Morgan Barron’s goal to make it 2-0 in this one, you weren’t alone.
He held the puck on his backhand before quickly shifting to his forehand and firing a puck blocker side to beat Oettinger – the same way he beat Joel Hofer on Monday night against St. Louis.
It was Barron’s eighth goal of the season and second in as many games, as he continues to look more and more comfortable down the middle of the ice.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
The fourth line of Tanev, Barron, and Anderson-Dolan was strong throughout the game and provided the Jets with quality minutes while chipping in a goal at even strength as well.
Morgan Barron was injured last season heading into the playoffs. If he can bring this level of play to the Jets’ fourth-line centre, what an asset that will be for Scott Arniel and the coaching staff.
Up next
The Jets have just three games remaining on their schedule, starting Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. They’ll then close out the season with two home games, first facing the Edmonton Oilers, before they close out the season on Wednesday, April 16 against the Anaheim Ducks.
Stay tuned to Illegalcurve.com for all the Jets news you’ll need heading into the playoffs and beyond.
