Hutchinson stands out in Jets’ overtime loss

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This article was published 28/11/2014 (4035 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BOSTON — The script didn’t end exactly the way the Winnipeg Jets wanted it penned — in this case the hero took a bullet in the final scene — but there will be more sequels playing out from December to April.

And longer, if the Jets get their wish for playoff hockey.

The Jets fell 2-1 in overtime to the Boston Bruins in front of the 228th consecutive sellout at TD Garden, extending their winless streak in Massachusetts to 13 games.

Two things for the Jets, in the big picture:

1. The point earned gave them five of a possible six on this road trip (2-0-1) and improved their league-best road record to 8-4-3.

2. Their goaltending, including the spectacular work by Michael Hutchinson against the Bruins Friday, was stellar over the stops in Columbus, Buffalo and Boston and the club has a healthy — and riveting — goaltending debate on its hands.

“Tonight wasn’t about how much you could generate. In a lot of ways, these games are survival,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice. “Four (games) in six (days) is tough coming off the stretch we had. Ten of the 15 on the road, we’ve been out east three times.

“It hasn’t been easy for them. We lost Bryan (Little) there at the start of the third. It was a perfect storm. I have nothing negative about the road trip or the month, for that matter. We’ve been a good hockey team.”

‘CLUTCH-INSON’

Thanks to whoever first tossed that out on Twitterverse; The nickname more than fits the Jets’ young netminder. Hutchinson was brilliant against the club that drafted then cut him, kicking out 36 of 38 shots and keeping his squad in a game that was slipping away after Dustin Byfuglien opened the scoring on the power-play.

Hutchinson continues to lead the NHL in goals-against average at 1.56 and save percentage at 94.7 — even after Dougie Hamilton took a perfect feed from Carl Soderberg for the winner. He is now 1-0-1 against his old team — he helped beat them for his first win last April — but this one came with one of his mentors from his days in the Bruins organization, Tuukka Rask, in the opposite net.

“It was awesome,” said Hutchinson. “He’s a goalie that ever since I was drafted, I looked up to. So to be able to play against him is a really good experience. It forced me to really focus in and push myself because he doesn’t make too many mistakes. We got one and it made me bear down, knowing that it might be the only one we get tonight.”

“Hutchie’s awesome, man,” added Blake Wheeler. “I really like Hutchie a lot. He just battles so hard in there. When he gets beat, they’ve got to make a helluva play to beat him. That’s what you love about a goalie like Hutchie. He’s battling as hard as we are for all 60 minutes and he gave us everything he had tonight.

“It would have been really nice to get him a win in this building, but he’ll have more opportunities for sure.”

UH-OH?

The Jets lost their No. 1 centre early in the third when Bryan Little took a Soderberg slapper off the knee. He had to be helped from the ice and didn’t return.

“You saw the shot,” said Maurice. “We’ll see how he progresses. Fortunately we have a break in our schedule now. Hopefully he’ll be fine.”

Stating the obvious here: Losing Little for any length of time could cripple the Jets, who played Friday without Adam Lowry (suspension) and with Mathieu Perreault just coming back from an injury. Jim Slater moved up from the fourth line to centre Wheeler and Andrew Ladd for the rest of the game.

“He’s one of our top guys and anytime you lose one of your top guys, it’s tough,” said Wheeler, “Especially a centerman, especially a guy that does so much like Litts does.”

SILVER LININGS SONGBOOK

Hutchinson got some help with a post, but he was a difference-maker for all the right reasons. Said Maurice of his netminder:

“He was spectacular. To be honest with you, it’s pretty much the only game we’ve seen of him going back to the end of last year. He looks the same every night. There is a lot of traffic, he fights through it, he controls the rebounds, he likes to play the puck. Just outstanding. We needed that tonight.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait