Jets post impressive win over Avs By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 11:01 PM CST Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 Last Modified: 5:03 PM CST Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 Updates

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This article was published 16/12/2023 (661 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Statement game?

Well, that depends on who you ask.

As the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night with an effort that was as convincing as the 6-2 score at the final buzzer, there was more of a business-as-usual approach than any message sending that was either required or accomplished on Saturday night at Canada Life Centre.

It was the second time in 10 days the Jets earned a victory over the Avalanche and this one pulled them into a three-way tie for first place in the Central Division standings with Colorado and the Dallas Stars, who lost in overtime to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night.

When the post-game interviews began inside the Jets’ room, there was no talk about making other teams around the NHL take notice, only about pulling together and playing the right way in the absence of sniper Kyle Connor, who is on the shelf for six-to-eight weeks with a knee injury.

“Listen, our team play has been really good all year,” said Jets head coach Rick Bowness, whose club improved to 18-9-2 and winning for the sixth time in the past seven games. “We need everyone contributing. It’s what we talked about after we lost Kyle. We just need the best version of what you bring. We’re not going to replace Kyle. We’re not trying to replace Kyle. What we need from everyone is a commitment to be the best version of themselves every night and we’ve been getting that.”

After scoring just once in the first game with Connor on the shelf, the Jets have erupted for 11 goals during the past two games.

“I thought today was a complete team effort. All four lines were rolling and we got a team win.”–Winnipeg Jets centre, Vladislav Namestnikov

“I mean, you’re not going to replace KC. It’s got to be a team effort, and everybody has to step their game up,” said Vladislav Namestnikov, who had a goal and an assist. “I thought today was a complete team effort. All four lines were rolling and we got a team win.”

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck had another strong effort between the pipes, making 30 saves as he improved to 15-6-1, while lowering his goals-against average to 2.41 and raising his save percentage to .917.

Hellebuyck has allowed only 17 goals in his past 10 starts – and he’s given up two or fewer in each of those.

The Jets continue a four-game homestand on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens.

Here’s a closer look at how things unfolded.

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SLUMP BUSTER – Winger Alex Iafallo snapped a 13-game pointess streak with an assist on the Jets second goal, then the versatile winger took things a step further by taking advantage of a D-zone turnover by Caleb Jones to snap an 18-game goal drought, making it a 3-0 game. “Definitely, you think about it all the time,” said Iafallo, whose last goal came Nov. 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights. “Obviously you want to chip in offensively, but sometimes you’ve just got to stick with it and try to play the right way and good things will happen. That’s kind of what I was going through the last few weeks, just trying to help as much as I can.” Iafallo had four goals and 13 points in 15 games before the offensive taps went dry, but his play never really deteriorated. “Listen, there’s been no drop-off in his play at all. No matter where we’ve played him, he’s played the same way,” said Bowness. “Sometimes the points come, sometimes they don’t. He’s been consistent every game, every shift. He plays one way and that’s 100 per cent every shift. I know we’ve moved him around a little bit because of injuries and everything else. But it doesn’t matter who the plays with. He knows how to play the game the right way every night. Eventually, you’re going to get rewarded for that.”

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SLUMP BUSTER II – The Jets power play has been a source of consternation for a good chunk of the season, but the second unit provided a boost on Saturday night as Namestnikov made it 2-0 with a shot from the slot for his third goal of the season. The Jets had gone 18 consecutive power plays between goals and that was a drought they were happy to erase. That the goal came from the second unit was merely a bonus, as two contributing units are always better than one when it comes to the man-advantage. “It is always nice to get a power play goal. It was actually pretty quick too,” said Namestnikov, whose goal was his third of the season. “We won the draw, and took it to the net there quick. It’s nice to get rewarded.”

“It is always nice to get a power play goal. It was actually pretty quick too.”–Namestnikov

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STAYING HOT – It’s pretty clear that Gabriel Vilardi has shaken off the rust and is making up for lost time. The Jets forward converted a pass from Mark Scheifele to open the scoring at 13:56 of the first period. Vilardi accepted the pass off his left skate, kicked it up to his stick and buried his shot. Vilardi scored his second of the game early in the third period, finding a loose puck after a Nikolaj Ehlers backhand around the blue paint at 3:40 of the third, restoring a three-goal cushion at 4-1. After missing 18 games with a knee injury, it’s clear Vilardi is rounding into form nicely and he’s one of the forwards who will be counted on to try to pick up the offensive slack while Kyle Connor is on the shelf with a knee injury. “He’s bumping up his play and I’ve seen it before,” said Iafallo, a longtime teammate of Vilardi’s with the Los Angeles Kings. “You can tell he has more confidence with the puck and he’s making great plays with that line. It’s fun to see. He put the work in.” Along with the offensive output, Vilardi has done an excellent job in the defensive zone. “He’s got great hands, he’s got great patience with the puck. And he sees the ice really well,” said Bowness. “Big strong guy that’s hard to play against, but it’s his patience with the puck and his skill level is really, really underrated. He has that sense of when and when not to make the play, he hangs on to it long enough and lets the play develop. Then (he) takes advantage of it.”

“He’s got great hands, he’s got great patience with the puck. And he sees the ice really well.” –Namestnikov on Gabriel Vilardi

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THE COMPLIMENT – Prior to the game, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar tossed a bouquet to Morrissey when asked a question about the Jets defenceman. Morrissey had two more assists on Saturday and is up to five goals and 26 points in 29 games as he continues to keep himself in the Norris Trophy conversation. “It’s pretty impressive. Last season was a breakout season,” said Bednar. “He’s certainly a guy we talk about (on the pre-scout). A real elusive guy. I just find him to be extremely intelligent, great skills, as far as skating and puck skills, shot. But his intelligence stands out to me. Last year, (he had a) breakout season and he’s back on it again, picking up where he left off. One of the top defenders in the league. He probably doesn’t get talked about enough. If he played on the East coast someplace in a big city, you’d be hearing a lot more about him.” That’s high praise from a Stanley Cup winning coach who has a Norris Trophy winner on his current roster.

“It’s pretty impressive. Last season was a breakout season.”–Jared Bednar, Avalanche coach

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EXTRA, EXTRA – The Jets kept the 12 forward, six D-men deployment going, leaving Nate Schmidt in on the third pairing, which meant Logan Stanley, Declan Chisholm and forward Dominic Toninato were the healthy scratches on Saturday. The Avalanche were without D-man Cale Makar, who was a late scratch due to a lower-body ailment. Makar has 37 points in 27 games this season and his offensive flair and defensive commitment was definitely missed on this night.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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