WINNIPEG – While many fans of the Winnipeg Jets would prefer to see the team tank and in return get a higher draft pick in June, the rest of the Jets fan base went home happy after the Jets upset the division leading Los Angeles Kings. The Jets scored four unanswered goals in a 4-1 triumph on Thursday at MTS Centre for their second win in a row.
“It just shows that we care.” Dustin Byfuglien said. “We want to win and we’re not quitting.”
Despite the Kings controlling much of the play, it was the Jets who came away with the two points. A loss would have officially eliminated the Jets from playoff contention, but the win temporarily leaped the Jets up three places in the NHL’s overall standings into 25th position.
“Regardless of where we are in the standings right now, we’re still playing for pride.” said Drew Stafford. “We’re playing to build character in here.”
The Jets had goals from Byfuglien, Stafford, Adam Lowry, and Paul Postma in the win. Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele each had two assists.
Ondrej Pavelec stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced.
“It’s a great win for us.” Pavelec said. “It’s a big win for us. Too bad it’s too late but we find a way to win.”
The two teams played a scoreless first period in which the Kings badly outshot the Jets 14-4.
Early in the middle stanza, Jeff Carter circled the net and spotted Tyler Toffoli, but Pavelec made a nice stop to keep it at zero-zero.
Mid period Pavelec made a brilliant toe save, but only moments later Anze Kopitar came speeding in down the wing. Kopitar snapped the shot past Pavelec for his 25th goal of the season. Carter and Drew Doughty picked up the assists.
With just 1:40 left in the second period, Matt Halischuk, from behind the net, sent the pass in front. Lowry lifted it in for his seventh goal of the season. Jacob Trouba grabbed the other assist. It was 1-1 going to the third with the shots 14-10 in favour of L.A in the middle frame.
Just 15 second into the third period, Byfuglien’s shot from the point made its way in through a crowd. Byfuglien’s 17th goal of the campaign was assisted by Scheifele and Wheeler.
The Jets extended their lead shortly thereafter. It was a shot from the exact same spot. This time it was Postma finding the back of the net from the point. It was just his second goal of the season and it was also assisted by Wheeler and Scheifele.
Stafford scored into the empty net to lock up a 4-1 victory.
READ RELATED: Another one bites the dust, Winnipeg Jets’ Tyler Myers out for the season
Mark Stuart, Joel Armia and Nikolaj Ehlers all returned to the Jets lineup after extended absences on the injured list.
After the game the Jets re-assigned Chase De Leo and Scott Kosmachuk to the Manitoba Moose.
The Jets will begin a short two game road trip on Saturday afternoon in Buffalo against Evander Kane and the Sabres.
Comments