In the biggest game of the season so far, on a Friday night inside Canada Life Centre, the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Dallas Stars 4-1 to gain a 10-point advantage over all teams in the Western Conference. There was plenty to take away from what ended up being an electric night in downtown Winnipeg.
Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi dominates in a huge win
I wrote about the top line’s declining analytics after Tuesday’s win over the New York Rangers, and I can confidently say, they put any concerns about their play to rest last night.
In the biggest game of the season to date, they posted arguably their best five-on-five performance of the season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
They netted three five-on-five goals, two off the stick of Kyle Connor for his 34th and 35th of the season, and one off the stick of Dylan Samberg off a gorgeous backhand pass from Mark Scheifele, who finished the game with three assists.
The shot attempts with them on the ice were 15-10 in Winnipeg’s favour, as well as the high-danger chances (3-1) and expected goals percentage (57.55%), according to Natural Stat Trick.
If that line can elevate their play like this in big games down the stretch and into the playoffs, the Jets will be an extremely difficult team to beat in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They have done just that in big games so far this season.
Dylan Samberg’s next contract keeps rising
Dylan Samberg has been proving his worth all season long in the Winnipeg Jets’ top four, but it is nights like last night where it’s clear he should be signed to a very long extension this offseason.
In a big game, one versus two in the Western Conference, and playing with a new partner in Luke Schenn with Neal Pionk week-to-week with an injury, Samberg opened the scoring and had a huge impact on the lone penalty kill for the Jets.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
“We know how good he is at defending. His footwork. His ability to go back for pucks. PK,” Arniel said after the game. “But now you’re seeing the other side where he’s out on the ice with our top-six forwards and he’s making plays and it’s what he did on the goal. He’s a guy that guys like playing with him because he has all those qualities. The biggest thing, for a big man he has mobility. That certainly helps him and his partner.”
It is worth noting that Luke Schenn played a strong 19:53 for the Jets in tonight’s game alongside Samberg. Schenn had seven hits, many of them of the bone-crushing variety, and played well in the defensive zone all night long in the absence of Pionk.
Samberg continues to prove with each passing game that his next contract should be a big one, and if he keeps this level of play up in the postseason, the Jets will have no issues paying him big money to stay in Winnipeg long-term.
Playoff atmosphere in the building for a big game
Being in the building for this one was incredible. It was truly a playoff-like atmosphere from before puck drop all the way until the final buzzer. The crowd pop on Samberg’s opening goal to give the Jets the 1-0 lead was one of the loudest all season long.
“I think it was exciting, it felt like it was getting towards the end of the year, it almost felt like a playoff game,” Morgan Barron said. “They’re kind of creeping up on us in the standings there. I think you’re always going to know what you’re going to get from them.”
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
This was a huge game, with real stakes at this time of the season, and this crowd knew it.
“Obviously, we are aware of the standings,” Barron said. “I think the fans and you guys are all aware of the standings. These are important games for us, this is a big push. I think we want to hit the ground running when the playoffs start, I don’t think anyone wants to creep in. We’re trying to put our foot down here and really secure that first place. That’s a big step for us. Obviously, those divisional games, but with Dallas being right behind us it was big.”
It was another strong effort from all parts of the lineup last night for Winnipeg, as Connor Hellebuyck stopped 24/25 shots sent his way, with his shutout bid being broken with 3:49 remaining.
The top line dominated, the fourth line chipped in a goal with Barron’s sixth of the season, all three pairings played a big role, and at the end of the night, it was the Jets taking home a huge 4-1 victory.
Up next
The Winnipeg Jets will now hit the road for a three-game road trip out west, starting with the Seattle Kraken on Sunday evening, before they take on the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
As always, stay tuned to Illegalcurve.com for all the latest Jets and Moose news you need.
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