The Jets (winners of six of last seven) had quite the homestand going 4-1-0 as they defeat the Coyotes 4-2 to improve to 10-5-2 on the season. They improve to 5-1-0 against the Central.
For those who would like to take a deeper dive into the advanced stats click here to see the results from the game via Natural Stat Trick.
Notable:
The game began with the best anthem singers in the NHL as Hoosli always does a simply magical job.
After both teams started slowly it was the Coyotes who struck first as the Jets were caught watching and Arizona finished off a nice passing play to take a 1-0 lead.
However the lead wouldn’t last long. The third line did some good work to cycle the puck in the Arizona end taking enough time that they got in a quick change which allowed Mark Scheifele, who jumped on for Nino Niederreiter, to put home his own rebound to tie the game 1-1. That’s his sixth goal of the season.
58 seconds later Vlad ‘don’t play pool against me’ Namestnikov got his second of the season with a good forecheck that stole the puck from Coyotes goalie Karel Vejmelka and then back it in off Lawson Crouse to give Winnipeg a 2-1 lead.
On the second goal Josh Morrissey got the 200th assist of his career.
After the Jets allowed the ‘Yotes to tie the game 2-2, Kyle Connor scored a filthy snipe top corner to re-establish the Winnipeg lead 3-2. That gives him 14 goals which means he is the NHL goals leader. On pace for 67.
That goal tied Kyle Connor with Teemu Selanne for quickest start to 14 goals in a season in 17 games.
Fans (and his teammates) gave Brenden Dillon a big cheer after he dropped the gloves with Liam OBrien in the 2nd period.
Winnipeg added some insurance as they had a great transition once they took possession in their zone, headed into the Coyotes end and Josh Morrissey put home a beauty pass by Mark Scheifele to make it a 4-2 game.
Mark Scheifele is up to 15 assists in 17 games for the Jets. His career high is 50 (2016-17) and he’s on pace for a shade over 70.
The dagger scored into the empty net by Mason Appleton. He’s been re-born this season: 6G in 17 games. Last year he had 5G in 41. Year before he was 8G in 68 games (Jets/Kraken). Career high was 12 in 56 games in 2020-21. Current pace: 28 goals.
Kyle Connor now has 47 game-winning goals in his career for the Jets. He moved past Mark Scheifele (45) into top spot all-time four days ago and now he’s two up on his linemate. He’s got five this season alone (which is two more than anyone else in the NHL).
Laurent Brossoit gets his second win of the season.
Multi Point Game:
Mark Scheifele 1G 2A
Kyle Connor 1G 1A
Josh Morrissey 1G 1A
Brenden Dillon 2A
Highlights:
Coach post-game media:
Illegal Curve Post-Game Show:
Up next:
The Jets are off tomorrow after this set of back-to-backs. Start your day with the Morning Papers which will go live at 7 am tomorrow on illegalcurve.com.
Podcast:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Latest on the injured duo.
A look at the projected lineup with all the latest game info.
TSN play-by-play voice Dan Robertson joined Hustler for a chat.
Keeping you up-to-date with all the latest pro hockey news in Manitoba.
Good insight from number 37.