A wild hockey game in Winnipeg as the Jets just keep finding different ways to win this season improving to 11-1-0 with a 7-4 victory over the Lightning.
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:
Controversial start to the game as the Lightning scored but it seemed like it would be called back for goalie interference as it was clear that Connor Hellebuyck was pushed back into his net by the stick of Conor Geekie (the Strathclair, MB product playing in his first NHL game in Winnipeg) but it was ruled a good goal.
Here is the official explanation from the NHL:
Video review determined that no goaltender interference infractions occurred as Conor Geekie made a play on a loose puck in the crease prior to Brandon Hagel’s goal. The decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.7 which states, in part, that “in a rebound situation, or where a goalkeeper and attacking player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the crease, incidental contact will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result thereof will be allowed.”
And when they lost the challenge they had a penalty and Tampa made them pay as Brayden Point fired home a short pass from Kucherov to make it a 2-0 game to really change the tone just eight minutes into the first period.
Winnipeg was able to regain some momentum courtesy of good work from the second line as Vlad Namestnikov finishes off the perfect Josh Morrissey pass to score against his former team and cut the deficit in half. That gave 44 12 assists in 12 games.
The Lightning were without one of their top forwards as Brayden Point was not on the ice to start the 2nd period.
The Jets came out on fire in the middle frame and they saw the benefit when a great pass by Nikolaj Ehlers set up Logan Stanley to tie the game 2-2. His first of the season.
Make some room Frans Nielsen (925GP) as Nikolaj Ehlers (617GP) with his assist on the second Jets goal has joined his fellow Dane atop the points leaderboard for Danish players with 473.
Less than two minutes later Winnipeg took their first lead of the game as Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi worked a beauty give and go with 55 finishing it off to make it a 3-2 game.
Almost nine minutes into the 2nd period the Jets held a 7-0 shot edge but the Lightning tied the game on a Mitchell Chaffee shot to make it a 3-3 game.
Jets came out well again to start the final frame and got the crowed to their feet when Logan Stanley lowered the boom with a great open ice hit which resulted in a power play for Winnipeg.
Alex Iafallo got them to their feet inside CLC as he scores on the power play (his first of the season) to make it 4-3. Less than three minutes the Bolts tied it up as they took advantage of some inattention by Winnipeg.
And then Dylan Samberg scored his career high third goal of the season to give the Jets a 5-4 lead in a game that had been absolutely electric. With the goal Kyle Connor kept his points streak alive at 12 games (9G 10A).
Nikita Kucherov got away with a dirty hit late in the 3rd on Kyle Connor which went without a call. Connor left the bench likely due to concussion protocol.
Nikolaj Ehlers made it 6-4 and becomes the all-time leader for points by a Danish player.
And then Cole Perfetti sealed the deal with a 7-4 empty net goal.
With the win the Jets improve to 11-1-0 on the season. They sit first in a number of categories including:
1st in NHL – wins (11)
1st in NHL – points (22)
1st in NHL – winning % (.917)
1st in NHL – Power Play (44.1%)
1st in NHL – Goals for (59)
1st in NHL – Goal differential (+29)
Health Update:
Scott Arniel said Kyle Connor was fine and that the concussion spotters pulled him from the game. Also for anyone who saw Dylan Samberg leave early he was given a misconduct late in the game.
Multipoint Game:
Nikolaj Ehlers 1G 1A
Vlad Namestnikov 1G 1A
Cole Perfetti 1G 1A
Mark Scheifele 1G 1A
Josh Morrissey 2A
Highlights:
Coach post-game media:
Topics:
1) On the goalie interference that wasn’t.
2) Seven different goal scorers today (:33)
3) Logan Stanley’s hit/fight (1:08)
4) Is that how he wants Logan Stanley to play? (1:38)
5) Seeing offence from Dylan Samberg (2:18)
6) Was Kyle Connor pulled by concussion spotters? (3:00)
7) Did he get a good explanation on the first goal call? (3:12)
8) On the non-call when Kucherov hit Kyle Connor (3:31)
9) Nikolaj Ehlers becoming all-time Danish points leader (4:18)
10) Namestnikov line stealing pucks (5:02)
11) Team’s response to going down 2-0 (6:01)
Illegal Curve Post-Game Show:
Up next:
The Jets schedule for tomorrow is unknown. Begin your day with all the latest Jets and Moose news in the AM Papers on illegalcurve.com which are available starting at 7 AM CST.
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