Mikko Rantanen

The Winnipeg Jets’ quest to regain home-ice advantage in this series fell short on Sunday afternoon, as they dropped a controversy-filled Game 3 by a score of 5-2. There was plenty to takeaway as the Jets now trail the series 2-1. Stars’ game-winner a controversial call Have you ever heard the word ‘propelled’ this much in your life? The Dallas Stars game-winner in this game came off the foot of Alex Petrovic. The NHL’s situation room concluded that Connor Hellebuyck ‘propelled’ the puck into the net. “The Winnipeg goaltender puts the puck into his net after a kick, it’s a good goal.” is what the referee said after the review. Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve) So, there was a kick? Not so fast. Elliotte Friedman then tweeted out that the on-ice officials felt strongly that the puck was not illegally kicked. He said that even if it was kicked, Hellebuyck “propelled” it in as opposed to deflecting it in. The puck was definitely kicked. It was pushed by Petrovic’s foot, with force, into the crease area, where Hellebuyck was scrambling and it went off his stick and into the net. Here’s what the NHL’s kicking motion rules are as it pertains to allowing or disallowing a goal. The following should clarify deflections following a kicked puck that enters the goal: A kicked puck that deflects off the body of any player of either team (including the goalkeeper) shall be ruled no goal. A kicked puck that deflects off the stick of any player (excluding the goalkeeper’s stick) shall be ruled a good goal. A goal will be allowed when an attacking player kicks the puck and the puck deflects off his own stick and then into the net. A kicked puck, which this was, deflects off the stick of the goaltender (see rule II) and into the net. To me, that’s no goal. Scott Arniel felt the same way when asked about it after the game. “The rule states that if the puck gets kicked, if it hits a body or a stick of anybody else other than the goaltender, it counts as a goal. It hit our goaltender’s stick and went in the net. That is no goal.” Petrovic’s goal counts, and despite the long review, Mikko Rantanen scores 49 seconds later and Winnipeg finds themselves down two goals in a matter of moments. “There’s no excuses,” Kyle Connor said on the long review potentially playing a factor. “We had to be ready to play, whether it was short or long. Momentum swings happen in a game and we try to turn more into our favour.” The ruling and long review happens and the Jets, and their fans, are not happy about the controversial call on what ended up being the eventual game-winner. What do you think? Let us know your thoughts here. Jets still winless on the road in the Playoffs Despite your thoughts on the length of the review and the ruling of a good goal, the third period highlighted the Jets’ inability to fight adversity and win on the road in this year’s playoffs. The Winnipeg Jets didn’t generate a single high-danger chance in the third period, a period in which they were outscored 3-0. That is not good enough for a period that was tied at two when it began. Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve) All of Winnipeg’s road losses in this playoff run have followed a similar theme. They play well for roughly 50 of the 60 minutes, and a 10 minute stretch where they surrender multiple goals and they fall too far behind to comeback. In this one, it was a 49 second stretch, as Rantanen made it 4-2 and the Jets looked lifeless in the remainder of the third period. With Dallas having won Game 1 in Winnipeg, the Jets will have to win a road game if they want to win this series. The NHL’s top team on the road during the regular season is now 0-4 on the road in this run, and if they can’t find their game soon, they’re at risk of going down 3-1 in the series. Power play becoming a detriment to the Jets’ chances The Jets’ power play went 0-for-4 on Sunday afternoon, bringing their total in the series to an uninspiring 1-for-13. Give credit where it’s due - Dallas’ penalty kill has been fantastic at blocking shots, keeping the Jets to the outside, and denying entry into the zone. Jake Oettinger has been stellar as well. Winnipeg had the top power play in the NHL during the regular season at 29.8%, and with Josh Morrissey’s return in Game 2, their top unit is fully healthy and back together. Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve) A power play goal in this game would’ve drastically changed their approach heading into the third, the same way Gabriel Vilardi's power play goal to open the scoring in Game 2 put them on the right track to playing their style of game. Winnipeg’s power play not only bailed them out of games they didn’t deserve to win, but they put them over the top in games that were close in the third period. They delivered in clutch moments, and in this series, they have yet to deliver in a big moment. For the Jets to even the series as early as Tuesday night in Game 4, their power play will have to generate more chances and score in key moments. The Stars’ penalty kill is great, but Winnipeg’s power play is supposed to be as well, and they’ll have to focus on winning that battle more often as the series moves forward. Stay tuned to Illegalcurve.com for the latest news and notes heading into Monday, and tune into the postgame show right after the final buzzer sounds for Game 4 on Tuesday night.

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