Next day takeaways: 2 thoughts as the Winnipeg Jets defeat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in OT

On Thursday night, the Winnipeg Jets became the first team in the Western Conference to reach the 100-point mark, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 4-3. In a game where the Oilers were without Leon Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid who exited in the third period with a lower-body injury, this turned into a game the Jets should have won, and while it was a sloppy game from both sides, Winnipeg came away with the two points. 

Jets won in spite of their power play

The Jets went 0-for-4 on the power play last night, which was one of their rare off nights on the power play. 

Since the 4 Nations break, the Jets are 6/37 (16.2%) on the power play. Thursday night against Edmonton was another night where they won in spite of the power play, which had a few golden opportunities to put this game away. 

“We had a couple looks, but overall we were sloppy. That’s something that we take pride in, to be able to close out a game,”  Kyle Connor said after the game. “I mean, we got a five-on-three, don’t score on that. We got one real late, don’t score on that. Yeah, I know results aren’t everything you want to get momentum, but at a certain time, it’s timely goals.”

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

The Jets got a power play with just over two minutes remaining and were unable to score, and the best chance on that power play was likely a two-on-one for the Oilers that Hellebuyck had to stop. 

This game went to overtime, where Kyle Connor ended it with his 37th of the season. 

This power play can get hot in a hurry, but with only 12 games left until the playoffs, they’ll need to see some more pucks going in the net to avoid that being a concern for round one. 

It was also the second night in a row where Connor Hellebuyck wasn’t at his usual Vezina-Trophy-winning level. He allowed three goals on 24 shots, and the first two he allowed were shots we see him save without breaking a sweat on most nights. 

How many games have the Jets won this year without their power play or goaltender playing at an elite level? This was one of them, as the Jets picked up their 48th win, 4-3 in overtime. 

Jets’ Brandon Tanev scores key goal

Brandon Tanev scored his first goal since being traded to the Winnipeg Jets, late in the third period, which was his 10th of the season. It was a key goal at the time, giving Winnipeg a 3-2 lead. 

It was the quintessential Tanev goal, as he was standing in the crease and essentially banked it to himself off the post before whacking it into the net. 

The Jets’ fourth line has been solid since Tanev’s arrival, and last night against the Oilers, they turned in another strong performance. 

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

In 6:04 five-on-five minutes as a line, they out-shot-attempted their opponents 7-2, out-chanced them 6-1, generated five high-danger looks, and of course, chipped in with a big goal late.

That fourth line brings solid penalty killing with Tanev and Iafallo, who play a big role on that unit, but if they can continue to win their minutes against solid opponents, they can be a real weapon for the Jets in the playoffs. 

Morgan Barron deserves praise, as well, for how he has looked moving to the middle of the ice. 

Up next

The Jets will now return home for a four-game homestand, beginning on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres. The Washington Capitals will be in town on Tuesday night, setting up a matchup between the top two teams in the NHL. 

As always, stay tuned to Illegalcurve.com for the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news.