The Canada Life Centre had the opportunity to host another playoff clash between the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday evening, with the fans hoping to see their team take a strangle-hold on the series. As a result of sleeping in, having a busy work day, and a disappointed mood as a result of the game, today’s recap will be brief. My apologies.
Despite starting out the game well, our Jets stumbled in the middle frame and allowed the game to get away from them. David Gustafsson gave Winnipeg the lead in the 1st period when he converted a rebound and his team was able to take it into the first intermission.
However, a lost face-off in the defensive zone was immediately converted by the Avalanche early in the 2nd to knot things up. Colorado had an opportune chance to take the lead with a 4 minute powerplay, but Winnipeg’s PKers did an excellent job and only allowed one shot on Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets were mainly being outplayed in the middle frame, but a rush gave them the lead when Gabriel Vilardi set up Mark Scheifele for a one-hand tap in goal. That lead only held for 6 minutes when Colorado was able to deflect a puck by the Jets’ goaltender, then a miscue by Bucky playing the puck shortly later allowed the Avs to take the lead. A punch in the gut before the period ended, as the Avalanche score with 6 seconds remaining when a player exiting the penalty box converted a breakaway.
The Winnipeg Jets controlled the puck for most of the 3rd period as the Colorado Avalanche tried to protect their lead. Our squad did have some looks to get another goal, but couldn’t solve the Avs’ tender again despite some 4 on 4 & powerplay time. Colorado had chances to extend their lead (including a couple of posts), but it wasn’t until the Jets pulled the goalie for an extra attacker that they were able to score their 5th goal of the game.
If you want to look at the advanced stats & shot charts for each period, you will find them below:
First Period MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 1 to 0 for the Jets, shots 15 to 12 for the Avs, 59% Deserve To Win for the Avs, Expected Goals – all situations (1.47-1.05 COL), & 5 on 5 (1.36-0.91 COL)
After Two Periods MoneyPuck Stats: Score: 4 to 2 for the Avs, shots 29 to 22 for the Avs, 73% Deserve to Win for the Avs, Expected Goals – all situations (3.18-1.61 COL) & 5 on 5 (2.77-1.47 COL)
After Three Periods MoneyPuck Stats: 64% Deserve to Win for the Avs, Expected Goals – all situations (4.03-2.75 COL) & 5 on 5 (3.38-2.29 COL)
FINAL SCORE: COLORADO AVALANCHE 5 WINNIPEG JETS 2
SHOTS: COLORADO AVALANCHE 32 WINNIPEG JETS 30
Game Observations:
- It was far from a terrible game by the Winnipeg Jets, but there are still too many “passengers” on this airplane. While the bottom six held their own against the opposition, both of Winnipeg’s top lines need to do more. Especially the Nikolaj Ehlers-Sean Monahan-Tyler Toffoli unit, who have been almost invisible through two playoff games.
- On a positive note, the Jets did manage to do well in limiting the chances from the Avalanche’s top line, as they allowed Nathan MacKinnon’s trio to only have 26% of the expected goals. Unfortunately, Colorado’s other three lines finished above the 50% mark so while the Nino Niederreiter-Adam Lowry-Mason Appleton has been okay at shutting them down, the rest of Winnipeg’s forwards aren’t causing enough issues for the rest of the Avs’ forwards.
- It wasn’t a great outing for Connor Hellebuyck. Although he did make some top-notch saves, there is no way a .871 save percentage and a -0.36 Goals Saved Above Average rating on 12 medium & 4 high danger attempts could be considered good enough. While there is no doubt that the Winnipeg Jets need to play better in front of Bucky to reduce goals against, it is also equally apparent that Hellebuyck needs to step up his game for the rest of the series.
Well, at least we get to take a bit of a break from watching the Winnipeg Jets, as they are off until Friday when the series resumes in Colorado.
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