Jets fall to Habs in shootout

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This article was published 28/10/2023 (709 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL — There is a temptation to say this is one that got away for the Winnipeg Jets and when it comes to that extra point in the standings, that’s 100 per cent accurate.

But as he stepped in front of the microphones to assess the performance of the Winnipeg Jets in this 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night at Bell Centre, associate coach Scott Arniel couldn’t help but tip his cap to the performance of Jake Allen because he liked a lot of what his team had done in the 65-plus minutes of action.

Sure, the power play could have been better and there are going to be some correctable things that will show up in the video meeting on Monday, but the Jets were in control of this one for a good chunk of the contest.

“We threw up 45 shots and they were legitimate, A-1 chances that we had. Give their goaltender credit, he made some big stops for them,” said Arniel. “We could have blown that out, made it three or four-nothing there. They hung in there. He gave them a chance. They hung in until the end of it. All-in-all, I was happy with how we played. We put a lot of pressure on them for most of that game.”

Jets captain Adam Lowry was encouraged by the way his team played and pointed the finger directly at himself when asked what the Canadiens were able to do to get this game turned around when it appeared to be going off the rails.

“I think it starts with my penalty. That’s a trip in the neutral zone. I kind of give them some free opportunities,” said Lowry. “Up until that point we had been doing a pretty good job of staying above them, not really allowing them to get chances through transition. They score on that power play and make it a lot tighter.”

While this was another good example of accountability, the Jets also wouldn’t have been in the lead were it not for the two goals Lowry scored himself and the three that were provided by his line.

There were ample opportunities for the Jets to extend the lead before Joel Armia tied it up just after a power play for the visitors had expired.

Not to mention several more during the third period and overtime before the Canadiens got a goal from Nick Suzuki to win the shootout 1-0 and secure the extra point.

Earning at least a point in a fourth consecutive game as they moved to 4-3-1 is something the Jets believe they can build upon.

“Certainly if we put up 45 shots most nights and limit the chances we give up we feel like we’ll give ourselves a great chance to win every night,” said Lowry. “Maybe just some small things where we fed into their momentum and allowed them to generate some chances. I think that’s just game management by us and puck management.”

Let’s take a closer look at what transpired:

THE PENALTY SHOT: It was an interesting start to the game for the Jets captain as he snuck in alone behind the Canadiens defence and was hooked on the hands by Canadiens centre Alex Newhook before he could get a quality chance away. Lowry pointed to centre after the whistle was blown and the nearest referee agreed, awarding a penalty shot on the play.

Lowry came down on his strong side and recognized an opening between Allen’s pads to score his first goal of the season. Perhaps Allen was anticipating that Lowry was going to go to his trademark backhand move. “I think it kind of impedes my chance. I was kind of lobbying. Fortunately (referee) Chris (Schlenker) agreed with me and I got the opportunity to take it,” said Lowry, who was then asked what he saw on the play. “I only have a couple moves. I saw it. I didn’t like my last one on (St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan) Binnington. Just tried to get a quick shot off.”

THE BANG-BANG SEQUENCE: Lowry wasn’t done there, adding his second of the contest just 13 seconds into the middle frame to move him to six points in eight games this season. That’s excellent production from someone who is primarily counted on for his ability to defend. Lowry’s linemates then connected for a goal 20 seconds later when Mason Appleton set up Nino Niederreiter for his second goal in as many games. The Jets third line has scored five times during the past seven periods and also done an excellent job of limiting the goals against, despite facing extremely challenging matchups.

“Unbelievable, (on) both sides of the puck. I think when those three are out there, you know good things are going to happen,” said Jets defenceman Brenden Dillon. “They play the right way, they bring that physicality, they hold onto pucks and they put pucks to the net and crash. It’s a simple simple way they play but it’s definitely effective and you know, I think for them, it’s nice to see them getting rewarded.”

HEATING UP: Prior to the contest, Niederreiter was talking about the relief he felt after scoring an empty-netter to seal the 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. He followed that up by finding the back of the net 33 seconds into the second period on Saturday.

For a guy who has routinely been a 20-plus goal scorer during the course of his career (doing it seven times since becoming a full-time player in 2011-12), seeing that red light go on is integral to keep the confidence high — even though he was contributing in other ways like winning board battles, blocking shots and providing physical play.

“I think he’s been playing really well for us and generating chances. A lot of shot volume from him,” said Lowry. “It was only a matter of time until some of them went in. He had some great looks earlier in the slot. Sometimes, it’s funny, you get an empty netter and it’s a little bit of a weight off your shoulders. He’s playing really well for us.”

THE POWER-PLAY WOES: One area the Jets won’t be happy with was their inability to cash in on four power-play opportunities. There were several chances for the Jets to extend the lead, but they weren’t able to find the back of the net with the man-advantage and that came back to bite them — especially since the Armia goal was the equivalent of a short-handed marker and since the Canadiens player coming out of the box wasn’t involved with the play. The Jets also allowed a power-play goal to Sean Monahan on a coverage breakdown, so it was not a banner night for the special teams units.

BATTLE OF THE BARRON BROTHERS PART 2: Justin Barron got the better of his older brother Morgan in the first NHL meeting between the siblings from Nova Scotia back in January, notching a pair of assists in a 4-1 victory for the Canadiens. With mom and dad and more than 10 family friends in attendance on Saturday, Justin scored his third goal of the season to tie the game 1-1 at 5:05 of the first period.

Morgan didn’t find the scoresheet and now trails Justin in goals 3-2. He also trails the lifetime series 2-0. Justin had just over 19 minutes of ice time, while Morgan had three shots on goal in just over nine minutes.

THE WELCOME: The Jets will welcome former captain Blake Wheeler and the New York Rangers to town Monday. After spending 12 seasons with the Jets and 13 with the organization, he’s likely going to receive a much warmer reception than the one Pierre-Luc Dubois got earlier this month.

“It’s going to be weird, that’s for sure. Thirteen years or whatever it was for the Jets. Such a big part of the organization, captain, a good friend to a lot of us in the room,” said Dillon. “He did a lot for Winnipeg, the city and the team as well. So I’m sure the fans in the building, they’re going to be excited for him and give him a nice reception and I think for him it’s going to be a bit weird going to that away locker room that’s for sure.”

THE TRAGEDY: Several Jets players have direct connections and were former teammates of former NHLer Adam Johnson, who suffered a serious skate cut to his neck in a game overseas with the Nottingham Panthers. Following the game, Lowry, Dillon and Arniel all made a point of sending their thoughts to the Johnson family.

“Our condolences go out to the Johson family. This is a hockey world and it’s a hockey tragedy,” said Arniel. “We have a lot of guys that have close ties and connections with him and the family. Our hearts go out to them.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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