WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets have wins in back to back games after they defeated the Colorado Avalanche in their final home game before the holidays.
Patrik Laine had a three point effort as the Jets knocked off the last place Avalanche 4-1 on Sunday at MTS Centre. Laine had a goal and two assists in the victory while Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice and Mark Scheifele tallied a pair of assists.
“I think we did a lot of good things.” said Ehlers. “Our PK (penalty kill) was good tonight and I think our powerplay was good as well, even though we didn’t score on it. So I think we can take a lot of things from this game.”
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After a scoreless first period, Laine opened the scoring seven minutes into period number two with his team leading 18th goal of the season. The Jets took a one goal lead into the final frame but goals by Blake Wheeler and Ehlers in the first five minutes of the period gave the Jets some breathing room. Wheeler’s goal snapped an eight game goalless drought while Ehlers scored for just the second time in the last 19 games.
A powerplay goal from Jarome Iginla with just 2:01 remaining made it a two goal game. But Ehlers’ second goal of the game into the empty net sealed the deal for the Jets as they won their second game in a row.
“Sometimes when it doesn’t feel like a whole lot is going on out there, that’s when you’re playing your best.” said Wheeler. “Staying under pucks, lot of stopping and starting, and don’t give them a whole lot and we finally broke them down in the third.”
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The Jets have five of a possible six points in their three meetings with Colorado. They are also 5-0 against Central Division teams at MTS Centre this season and Winnipeg improved to 10-1 on the campaign when leading after two periods.
“When you’re a little better rested, you can stop and start, you win battles, get sticks on pucks, so we were just stronger.” said head coach Paul Maurice. “That’s the kind of game that was today. They got quite a bit of size. They want to outwork you in the corners and we were really good in those two departments.”
Making his first career start in his hometown, Winnipeg’s Calvin Pickard stopped 26 of the 29 shots he faced in the Avalanche net. Connor Hellebuyck earned the win for the Jets as he made 27 saves.
The Jets still have two road contests remaining before the Christmas break with back to back games against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday and Thursday.
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