Sizzling power play not enough

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This article was published 12/12/2014 (3931 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DENVER — Maybe it’s that new “umbrella” system they’re using.

Or maybe it’s just the way the puck bounces sometimes.

But whatever it is, the Winnipeg Jets’ power play has gone from a laughingstock to one of the very best parts of their game right now.

But as good as Winnipeg has been lately with the man advantage — and with two more power-play goals at Pepsi Center Thursday night, the Jets have five power-play goals in their last three games — it still wasn’t enough to secure a win over a feisty Colorado Avalanche squad.

The Avs stormed back from a 3-1 third-period deficit to tie the game with less than three minutes to play and won the game 4-3 in a shootout.

The shootout loss spoiled what was otherwise another memorable night for the Winnipeg power play, which also scored a key goal Tuesday night in Dallas in a 5-2 win over the Stars.

Winnipeg’s power play is now 9-for-27 since ending an 0-for-25 drought on Nov. 25.

The Jets headed home overnight from this two-game road trip having earned three of a possible four points, improving an already impressive road record to 9-4-4 in th process.

What’s more, the Jets have also picked up points in eight straight games in a run that has seen them go 5-0-3.

Scheifele awakens

While his head coach has insisted he’s been playing well, it was hard not to notice Jets centre Mark Scheifele had just three goals and seven assists in 29 games.

But Scheifele broke out in a big way in Colorado, notching the primary assist on Winnipeg’s first two goals and then scoring his first goal in 10 games at 4:32 of the third period.

First blood, again

Jets forward Andrew Ladd opened the scoring, slamming a loose puck past Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard for a power-play goal at 1:21 of the second period.

If that sounds like a familiar script, it should — the Jets have scored first in 10 of their last 11 games. And it’s been this club’s ability to strike quickly and get an opponent on their heels that has been perhaps the biggest factor underlying a run that has seen the Jets go 14-5-6 in their last 25 games.

Indeed, last night’s loss was a major anomaly for a Winnipeg club that has otherwise been ruthlessly efficient when scoring first this season. Even with the shootout loss, Winnipeg is still a cool 12-4-4 when scoring first this season.

And on the rare occasions when it’s Winnipeg’s opponent who scored first this year? It’s been opposite-land for a Winnipeg team that is just 3-5-2 when they have to come from behind.

Morrissey traded

Jets blue-line prospect Josh Morrissey — Winnipeg’s first-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft (13th overall) — was traded Wednesday from the Prince Albert Raiders to the Kelowna Rockets.

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Kelowna GM Bruce Hamilton gushed about acquiring Morrissey, who is a member of the upcoming Team Canada world junior selection camp.

Up next

The Jets returned home overnight, where they will now set up shop at the MTS Centre for a four-game homestand that begins Saturday when the Anaheim Ducks come for a visit for the second time in less than a week.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @PaulWiecek