Jets’ scoring woes continue in 2-1 loss to Sharks

The Winnipeg Jets’ offensive well has suddenly run a little dry.

After getting blanked 3-0 by the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, the Jets dropped a 2-1 decision to the San Jose Sharks on Friday night at SAP Center.

Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey was the lone player to score for the visitors, who slipped to 9-5-0 on the season.

Morrissey’s goal came on a booming slapshot through traffic and was the lone puck to beat Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic – who made a number of highlight-reel stops, including an amazing left skate save off Nino Niederreiter during a first period scramble.

Nedeljkovic was full value, but it’s not often the Jets are held to just one goal over a two-game span and they’ll need to get back to generating a bit more offensively as they continue this six-game road trip on Sunday night in Anaheim when they face the Ducks, who lead the Pacific Division with a record of 9-3-1.

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck was outstanding in this one as well, finishing with 25 saves in what was his 11th start of the campaign.

Let’s take a closer look at what transpired in this one:

MR. 800 – Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov suited up in his 800th NHL game on Friday night, hitting an impressive milestone against the team that traded him to Winnipeg after acquiring him from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“He’s a guy that is a true professional. A very detailed, smart player,” Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo told reporters in San Jose. “He’s smooth and silky out there. Very reliable. I played with him in Ottawa a bit too, so I’ve known him over the years.

“He’s a great guy off the ice. You guys might see him on the more quiet end, but we get to see him outside of everything and he’s a fun guy to be around. He’s really fit into our group on and off the ice. Eight hundred games is amazing, it’s an amazing accomplishment for him.”

Namestnikov has been an excellent fit with the Jets and generated multiple quality scoring chances in the contest, including a slapshot in the first period and a nifty setup in front from Jonathan Toews.

“He’s been great,” Jets left-winger Kyle Connor told reporters in San Jose. “He can do it all, score goals for us, kill penalties, so he’s a big part of this team.”

THE KEY PLAY

Sharks forward Will Smith finds a loose puck behind Connor Hellebuyck for the eventual game-winner with 4:21 to go.

THE THREE STARS

1. Macklin Celebrini, Sharks: Scored a goal, added an assist.

2. Connor Hellebuyck, Jets: Made 25 saves to keep his team in this one.

3. Will Smith, Sharks: Scored the game-winner.

BLENDER TIME – Clearly unhappy with what he saw from another sluggish second period, Jets head coach Scott Arniel shifted each of his four lines and two of his three pairings for the third period in Northern California.

Arniel separated all three members of the top line, which clearly caught the attention of everyone on the roster.

Kyle Connor moved to a line with captain Adam Lowry and Namestnikov, Gabe Vilardi was on the wing with Toews and Cole Koepke, Mark Scheifele moved to a unit with Alex Iafallo and Nino Niederreiter and Parker Ford was between Tanner Pearson and Nikita Chibrikov – who started the game with Lowry and Niederreiter.

The moves didn’t immediately lead to goals, so it will be interesting to see what the combinations look like as the Jets prepare for Sunday’s game with the Ducks.

THE CELEBRINI SHOW – Sharks centre Macklin Celebrini moved into sole possession of first place in NHL scoring by scoring a beautiful goal in the first period.

Celebrini saw an opening and got behind the Jets’ defence, took a pass from Tyler Toffoli, went in on goalie Connor Hellebuyck and beat the reigning Hart Trophy winner with a backhand deke.

Celebrini added an assist to move to nine goals and 23 points, which is two more than Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights.

There’s been plenty of Canadian Olympic team buzz surrounding Celebrini early in the season and it’s easy to see why.

Celebrini plays with a great blend of skill, speed and tenacity and while his birth certificate might only say 19 years old, there’s a maturity to his game that suggests he’s the type of player that could fill a role in Italy in February.

EXTRA, EXTRA – The Jets made a pair of lineup changes, inserting Chibrikov for Brad Lambert and defenceman Luke Schenn for Colin Miller. Chibrikov skated on a line with Jets captain Adam Lowry and Nino Niederreiter. Chibrikov is an energetic player, but he’s had a propensity for taking too many minor penalties in his limited opportunities this season. By taking a double minor for high-sticking, Chibrikov is up to 12 penalty minutes in just six games.

Jets winger Cole Perfetti shed his yellow non-contact in favour of a regular jersey for Friday’s morning skate, which is the next step in his recovery from a high ankle sprain. Perfetti will need to take some contact before he’s ready for game action, but the tentative timetable of returning before the end of this road trip appears to be very much in play.

ken.wiebe@freeppress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld