Jets hold on to down Sabres

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/11/2023 (670 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This one won’t resemble the template the Winnipeg Jets attempt to lean on with any level of frequency moving forward.

Sure, the Jets had some strong moments as they built a two-goal cushion during the second period, but they were a a bit too loose defensively – especially during the third period – and were more reliant than they have been on goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who responded with another solid effort between the pipes – finishing with 26 saves in a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night as he improved to 8-4-1 on the season after making his 13th start in 16 games.

After getting off to a bit of a pedestrian start by his own lofty standards, Hellebuyck is showing there is a reason he likes his details and seems to be trending toward providing the above-average-to-elite netminding that has become his upper-echelon baseline for the better part of his time with the Jets.

“We’ve been playing some really good hockey,” said Jets associate coach Scott Arniel. “At the end of the day, we haven’t been doing this for the last three or four or five games. It’s not like it’s been snowballing, snowballing. We don’t like it. We’ll make some adjustments and improvements. Hopefully (on Saturday), it’s a little better effort. But I do not, I will never critique… That’s two points. That’s a huge two points. And at the end of the day, it took Hellebuyck, probably, to help us get that two (points) but that’s the most important thing.”

With the win, the Jets improved to 9-5-2 on the season as they get set to wrap up this five-game homestand on Saturday night against the Arizona Coyotess.

Let’s take a closer look at this one:

The streak continues – Jets forward Cole Perfetti continues to ride the wave, extending his point streak to eight games after opening the scoring on a wrister from the slot. Perfetti has scored in five consecutive games and is up to six goals and 14 points in 16 games this season. His confidence continues to rise and he’s been a key point producer on the second line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers.

Namestnikov had two assists in the contest, while Ehlers scored on a seeing-eye shot from the left point for what proved to be the game-winner at 8:12 of the second period – thanks in part to an accidental screen by Sabres defenceman Owen Power.

“Classic hockey goal,” said Ehlers. “Very well-rehearsed, practised. Exactly how we wanted it.

“I mean, every time you try to put the puck to the net you are hoping it goes in, but I was just kind of trying to be the safety net for (Brenden Dillon) because the puck was bouncing a little bit. And, well, luckily it jumped over his stick.”

Ehlers, who is up to five goals and nine points in 16 games, has now collected at least a point in three consecutive games and is showing signs of putting his slow start in the rearview mirror – which is an important development for the Jets.

The net drive – Jets right-winger Mason Appleton scored his fifth goal of the season thanks to a strong net drive and a perfect pass from linemate Nino Niederreiter, who finished with two assists.

The Jets checking-plus line of Appleton with Adam Lowry and Niederreiter has been a handful for opponents since they were put together. Appleton never fully got on track last season after suffering a wrist injury, but he’s showing signs of the offensive totals he put up during the 56-game season in 2020-21.

His scoring pace (12 points in 16 games) would have him well on his way to challenge and surpass his career highs for goals (12), assists (13) and points (25).

The homecoming (of sorts) – With his parents and Winnipeg Ice billet family in attendance, Sabres forward Zach Benson returned to the lineup and chipped in an assist on a goal by JJ Peterka. Benson, who is up to three assists in seven NHL games, has turned heads since training camp and is making his case to remain on the roster beyond the 10-game mark, which would trigger the first year of his entry-level contract.

Known for his offensive instincts, Benson (who was chosen 13th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft) has also impressed Sabres head coach Don Granato with his work without the puck.

“Very smart, very efficient. He’s tenacious at the right moments. A very calculated, very intuitive player. He puts himself in spots that he can jump in and be tenacious,” said Granato. “So his sense with the puck is exceptional and his sense without the puck might even be higher.”

Benson got whistled for a high-sticking minor in the offensive zone with 2:16 to go in regulation on what was a rare undisciplined penalty for the 18-year-old rookie.

The changes – With forward Rasmus Kupari landing on IR, the Jets went back to the more traditional deployment of 12 forwards and six D-men, which meant David Gustafsson was back as the fourth line centre and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby filled in on the fourth line after he was recalled from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Jonsson-Fjallby had one shot attempt and three hits in 8:32 of ice time, including 32 seconds while shorthanded.

On defence, Nate Schmidt was a healthy scratch, which allowed Logan Stanley to play in consecutive games for the first time this season. Stanley was mostly steady on Tuesday, but is going to need to assert himself physically and keep clearing the front of the net in the defensive zone effectively if he wants to compete for regular duty.

Stanley finished Friday’s game with 16 shifts for 12:31 of ice time, accumulating one shot attempt that was wide, one hit, one giveaway and two blocked shots. It will be interesting to see if the Jets decide to keep Stanley in the lineup on Saturday against the Coyotes or if Schmidt is going to return.

One thing you can count on is Jets backup goalie Laurent Brossoit making his fourth start of the season.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: WiebesWorld