Oil flows freely in third

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/09/2019 (2173 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was the closest they’ve come to a regular-season test in terms of the quality of players in both lineups. And while the effort was there, the Winnipeg Jets get a failing grade for execution.

A back-and-forth affair with the Edmonton Oilers resulted in a 5-3 loss at Bell MTS Place Thursday night, as the visitors rallied in the final period with three straight goals.

Edmonton iced something close to their opening-night roster, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Jets did similar, with the exception of Josh Morrissey, Blake Wheeler, Adam Lowry and Bryan Little. 

Winnipeg drops to 2-3-1 in pre-season action. 

THE SKINNY: 

Winnipeg opened the scoring midway through the first period as C.J. Suess scored his second of the pre-season. Edmonton quickly tied it when Jets winger Mathieu Perreault coughed up the puck behind his net and James Neal fed Tomas Jurco for the tally.

Connor McDavid gave the Oilers a lead just 63 seconds into the second period. Defenceman Tucker Poolman tied it a few minutes later when he crashed the crease and banged home a rebound, and then Gabriel Bourque converted from the slot after a great puck steal and pass from Perreault.

Edmonton defenceman Ethan Bear got his stick on a loose puck during a goalmouth scramble to tie the game early in the third. Jurco then scored his second of the night, this time on the power play as he beat Jets defenceman Dmitry Kulikov and goalie Connor Hellebuyck with a nifty move for the game winner. Bear finished the scoring when his point blast deflected off Winnipeg’s Kristian Vesalainen.

5 PLAYERS WE WATCHED CLOSELY:

G CONNOR HELLEBUYCK — Made his second start of the pre-season after a ho-hum debut last week against the St. Louis Blues. Had a nice start by stopped McDavid on a partial breakaway early in the game, but that was his highlight of the night.

Seemed to be fighting the puck, surrendering five goals on 26 shots. Hellebuyck has been beaten nine times on 45 shots in two losses.

We’re not saying a goalie controversy is brewing, but backup Laurent Brossoit has been brilliant in two pre-season outings.

Sure, the Jets have had plenty of turnover on the blue line and are missing several key pieces, but Brossoit hasn’t exactly had an all-star cast in front of him, either.

If Winnipeg is to contend this season, they need Hellebuyck to display his Vezina-finalist form of two seasons ago.

F KRISTIAN VESALAINEN — Make it four straight pre-season games in which the Finnish winger hasn’t had a shot on goal. It’s clear he’s suffering from a lack of confidence despite being given plenty of offensive opportunity.

With several other players in camp improving their stock, you wonder whether Vesalainen’s has played his way off the opening-night roster? He’s only 20 and has loads of talent, but extra fine-tuning with the Manitoba Moose might be his best option. 

Played 11:23, going minus-one with one giveaway.

F JOONA LUOTO — Terrific game, which helped his cause as he fights for a spot with the Jets. Didn’t look out of place on a checking line with veterans Mark Letestu and Gabriel Bourque. 

Made a great saucer pass to set up the opening goal by Suess, then had a nice outlet feed that led to Winnipeg’s second goal. Showed some toughness in a post-whistle skirmish with Brandon Manning.

Played 11:51 and was plus-one with an assist, a hit and two blocked shots, including a painful one early in the third period with the Jets still ahead. 

F C.J. SUESS — Continued his strong camp, showing excellent hand-eye co-ordination to beat Oilers netminder Mike Smith.

With Mark Scheifele, Bryan Little and Adam Lowry locks at centre, is in a battle for the fourth-line spot. Letestu would seem to have the edge, but Suess has entered the conversation. Can also play wing.

Played 10:45 with three shot attempts, including two on goal and two blocks. Struggled a bit in the faceoff circle, however, going just 3-for-9.

D VILLE HEINOLA — The 18-year-old keeps doing things that make you wonder if he might just not make this team, especially with defenceman Sami Niku battling a groin injury and Dustin Byfuglien mulling his feature.

His passing and vision are superb, and were on display as he quarterbacked a first-period power play. He appears extremely confident, and held his own as Draisaitl drove down on later in the game.

Played 20:57, going plus-one with one shot attempt and two giveaways. 

HOW THEY LINED UP:

FORWARDS:

Copp – Scheifele – Roslovic

Ehlers – Gustafsson – Perreault

Luoto – Letestu – Bourque

Vesalainen- Suess – Appleton

DEFENCE:

Heinola – Pionk

Beaulieu – Kulikov

Bitetto – Poolman

GOAL:

Hellebuyck

WHAT’S NEXT?

The end is near!

Players will enjoy a full day off on Friday, at which time some additional cuts could be made. They’ll return to practice on Saturday to get ready for Sunday’s pre-season finale in St. Paul against the Minnesota Wild. The bulk of the opening-day roster is expected to play.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg