Jets sink Kraken in overtime to push winning streak to seven games

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This article was published 25/10/2024 (346 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SEATTLE – It wasn’t quite sleepless in Seattle, but a sluggish opening period didn’t end up sinking the Winnipeg Jets.

Neither did allowing a pair of third period goals that sent this game to overtime.

With the Jets enjoying a 4-on-3 advantage in extra time thanks to a delayed penalty, Nikolaj Ehlers squeezed a shot through the five-hole of Kraken goalie Joey Daccord to earn a 4-3 overtime victory at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday night.

“Once you get to overtime now, it’s a skills contest,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “Puck possession is a big part of it and I thought we had the puck for a lot of that, which helps. I just like the way we went out and attacked.”

The Jets, who improved to 7-0-0 on the season, close out their three-game road trip on Saturday in Calgary against the Flames.

“Overall we found a way to win and that’s the most important thing,” said Jets winger Nino Niederreiter. “But it wasn’t our best.”

No argument here, but let’s take a closer look at what transpired:

TURNING THE TIDE – It was a tough first period for the Jets, with puck management an area of concern, especially in the defensive zone, as the Kraken scored the lone goal of the opening 20 minutes of play.

But early in the second period, the line of Adam Lowry, Mason Appleton and Nino Niederreiter made a simple, but effective play to provide a momentum shift.

Lowry provided the zone entry and got the puck over to Appleton, who quickly got a shot off from the right wing that was tough to handle.

Niederreiter was driving for the far post and the puck ended up going in off his body.

“Those guys are straight line players. They push the puck forward in their straight line they get after it,” said Arniel. “They score a lot of goals in that blue paint area.”

Niederreiter appeared to make a kicking motion at the loose puck after it dropped to the ice, but he explained there was a method to his madness.

“Just to protect it. Just to protect it so nobody was going to go for the puck and let it slide in, which it did,” said Niederreiter, who was asked which part of his body the puck touched last before it went in. “It was definitely chest. I think it went straight up the chest and then it went down and I was like just go over the line and it should be good. And it did, thank God.”

Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma strongly considered challenging the play, but ultimately decided against it and the goal helped the Jets even the score.

It was another game where the Lowry line helped the Jets get back to their identity.

“When things are not going well we have to go back to what we do great, wearing teams down, get it down low, create chances, create momentum,” said Niederreiter. “That’s what we did and that was a big reason why we won.”

Niederreiter added his second goal of the night as an insurance marker that was set up by the vision of Cole Perfetti just after a power play had expired.

THE REVIEW – The Kraken made a pretty passing play for what they thought was the go-ahead goal for Oliver Bjorkstrand at 7:17 of the second period, but as soon as the puck went into the net, Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck was pointing at Yanni Gourde.

The reason Hellebuyck was pointing at Gourde was because the Kraken centre had made contact with him while driving the net just before the puck went in.

That prompted the Jets to challenge the play for goalie interference and ultimately, the goal was overturned.

There’s no disputing that Gourde’s skates made contact with his pad on the play inside the blue paint.

“Yeah. Obviously, we have the cameras at our feet. We all kind of thought until we were pretty sure we were going to challenge,” said Arniel. “For sure, we thought it would go the right way for us.”

Instead of being down 2-1, the game remained tied and that opened the door for the Jets to turn the tables.

THE KEEP – An incredible defensive play by Jets left-winger Kyle Connor helped lead to the Jets second goal of the contest.

Connor lifted the stick of Bjorkstand just inside the offensive blue line, keeping the puck in the zone and then passing it over to Mark Scheifele, who found Gabe Vilardi alone in front of the Kraken net.

Kraken defenceman Adam Larsson raised his right arm because he thought the puck had exited the zone and it was offside, but the play continued.

With Larsson flat-footed, Vilardi drove the net and put the puck beyond the outstretched left pad of Daccord.

“I’m just trying to wait him out, kind of thing. I was able to do that. He almost saved it, he almost got his blade on it at the end,” said Vilardi, who scored his first of the season. “Just a good track by KC. All the guys on their team are flying out of the zone and it gives me more space down low. I just take it to the net and was able to score.”

Vilardi has had several quality opportunities in recent games and finding the back of the net is something that will provide a confidence boost.

“We need his goals to be successful and I’m very happy it goes in,” said Niederreiter. “I know exactly the feelings you go through when things aren’t going your way and you work hard. And then you start going away from what you do great. I think once he’s in front of the net and starts getting those greasy goals, I think that’s what gets him going.”

Vilardi says he’s been watching Niederreiter a lot in practice and working on some of the things his fellow winger works on.

“He’s been around for so long and he’s been a goal scorer around the net and I kind of see myself similar to that, a guy that’s going to score his goals around the net,” said Vilardi. “He’s got incredible hands and he uses his body well.”

THE THREE STARS – It was another tight game, with plenty of strong individual showings:

3) Connor Hellebuyck, Jets – The exceptional play continued with a 27-save effort and featured another highlight-reel special as he kicked out the left pad to rob Jamie Oleksiak on a rebound chance in the second period.

2)Nino Niederreiter – Two more goals and a distinct presence in his office, around the net.

1) Matty Beniers, Kraken – The centre was struggling offensively with just one helper in his first seven games but scored a pair, including the one that sent the game to overtime, while adding an assist.

EXTRA, EXTRA – After the morning skate, Arniel provided a quick update on Jets D-man Ville Heinola, who remains sidelined after ankle surgery. Heinola still isn’t back on the ice and there is no timetable for his return – other than it’s not imminent. Given the amount of time he missed in training camp and with his recovery, a conditioning stint with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League is probably going to be the best opportunity to help him get back up to speed. Heinola, who is not exempt from waivers this season, could spend up to 14 days in the minors if that’s the path the Jets take after he is cleared to return to game action.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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