Jets knock off league-leading Canucks

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This article was published 18/02/2024 (596 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER — The look on Gabe Vilardi’s face said it all.

Just moments after his Winnipeg Jets had skated away with a nationally televised 4-2 victory over the NHL’s No. 1 team — in enemy territory, no less — the man of the hour was like a kid in a candy store.

“That was really fun,” the 24-year-old Ontario product, who led the way with two goals and an assist and typically doesn’t show a lot of emotion, said with a huge smile at the start of his media scrum inside the Jets locker room at Rogers Arena.

“Those are the games you dream of playing in. It was a good atmosphere. It was great. Hockey Night in Canada, it was cool.”

Make no mistake: This was no ordinary outing for the Jets. They were out to send a message. To the Canucks. To the rest of the league. And, most importantly, to themselves.

It started at the morning skate, an optional affair that coach Rick Bowness has made clear players do not have to attend. A whopping 14 hit the ice. And it continued into the game itself, where the Jets dug themselves out of early deficit, weathered plenty of adversity all the way and came away with an effort as impressive as any this season.

“It was awesome,” said centre Mark Scheifele, who tied a career high with four points (one goal, three assists). “You know you got two Canadian teams going at it that’s what everyone wants to see and it was an absolute blast.”

Overall, it was Winnipeg’s third straight victory to improve to 33-14-5, which gives them the third-best winning percentage in the league behind the Canucks and the Florida Panthers. Vancouver falls to 37-13-6.

“That’s what it’s going to be like from here on out,” Bowness said of the intensity and atmosphere. “Teams fighting for playoff spots, positioning in the league. There’s only 30 games to go for us and every game is going to be a battle. That was a hard-fought win. That’s the type of hockey it’s going to be from here on out.”

There’s plenty to digest from this one. Let’s dig in:

THE OFFENCE AWAKENS: Considering they came into the night having scored just nine times in the last eight games, and they were staring down one of the NHL’s top goaltenders in Thatcher Demko, we’re going to go ahead and call four goals an offensive eruption.

Canucks defenceman Noah Juulsen opened the scoring just 19 seconds into the second period, and that 1-0 deficit felt a lot larger given Winnipeg’s offensive struggles.

Naturally, they suddenly started firing on all cylinders. And from a most unlikely source.

Winnipeg’s power play had been as cold as the North Pole — a dreadful 0-for-21 funk over the span of eight games. It became 0-for-22 after a first period chance went for naught, although Scheifele did score a goal that was waved off due to Demko being pushed into the net.

Perhaps that was an omen of what was to come, with a pair of power play tallies in the second period.

First up was Vilardi, who planted himself in front of the Vancouver net, took a nice pass from Scheifele and delivered a perfect backhander that beat Demko to tie the game 5:16.

Then, just a few minutes later, it was Vilardi being a playmaker, as he found Sean Monahan alone in the slot for a quick one-timer to put the Jets ahead.

“It felt good. I mean, the power play has kind of been fighting it a little bit, so to get one on their and take a lead, it’s a good feeling,” said Monahan,

Monahan’s goal was his first since joining the Jets, and Vilardi’s helper was his 100th career point.

A welcome development on many fronts, for sure. Overall, the Jets finished 2-for-4 on the power play. It’s only the fifth time this year they’ve connected twice, and the first since Dec. 22 against the Boston Bruins.

Former Jets blue-liner Tyler Myers tied the game later in the frame, but Vilardi (7:47 of the third, his 13th) and Scheifele (9:42 of the third, his 16th) put this one on ice.

Kyle Connor had a pair of assists as the top line with himself, Scheifele and Vilardi had nine combined points.

“That was against a very, very good team in Vancouver,” said Scheifele. “That was huge for us as a group and individually as well. So just got to keep that going.”

HELLEBUYCK WINS THE GOALIE BATTLE: This was touted as a marquee goalie matchup, with arguably the two best Americans in the sport facing off.

Hellebuyck not only had the busier night, but the better one. He stopped 35 of 37 shots, and has now had 31 straight games in which he’s surrendered three goals or less. The Vezina Trophy favourite is having a truly special season.

Hellebuyck really stood tall when the Jets were short-handed, as they killed off all four minor penalties they took against one of the NHL’s most potent power plays.

“The guys were getting in front of the shots and Helle made the timely saves,” said Bowness. “He’s got to be a big part of the penalty kill and he was. But I thought our guys did a great job tonight.”

Of course, it helped that the Jets finally gave Hellebuyck a bit of run support.

“You’ve got to score to win. Bucky can only do so much,” said Vilardi. “We need to keep that going.”

As for Demko, he turned aside 24 of 28 shots in a losing effort.

THE REFEREES HAD A ROUGH NIGHT: An instigator penalty on Vancouver’s Phil Di Giuseppe was the first of several head scratchers. He was coming to the defence of teammate Nils Aman, who was crushed with a heavy, clean hit by Adam Lowry.

Thing is, Lowry willingly accepted the fight and actually got his gloves off first, then took Di Giuseppe down with considerable force. The Jets came out with the power play, which Monahan quickly scored on.

“Adam, they took so runs at some of our guys and you knew Adam was going to respond,” said Bowness.

“It was a good clean hit, and their guy stepped in. That’s the NHL today. You throw a good hit and got to be ready to fight for whatever reason it is. That’s why Adam’s the leader of this team.”

Not to be outdone, Jets defenceman Nate Schmidt was given a bizarre goalie interference penalty later in the second, despite the fact Demko was out of his crease and gave him nowhere to move.

Then, as the frame ended, J.T. Miller crushed Scheifele with a blindside hit and was rightfully called for interference, which should have put the Jets on a five-on-three advantage. Incredibly, Scheifele was given two minutes for embellishment.

“I took a took a shoulder right to the chin,” said Scheifele. “I don’t know what you expect me to do there. He told me I spun and that’s not what to do but I don’t know. Can’t say anything or you’re gonna get fined. So yeah, I was very surprised.”

EXTRA, EXTRA: Defenceman Logan Stanley and forward Rasmus Kupari were the healthy scratches for the Jets. Stanley actually took the pre-game skate, as there was a question mark about one of Winnipeg’s blue-liners. However, he ultimately didn’t play.

Forward Morgan Barron exited the contest after two periods. He’s battling a virus and was unable to continue.

“He had a tough time between periods, second and third, so I just told him to stay where he was,” said Bowness.

Winnipeg flew to Calgary after the game and will meet the Flames on Monday afternoon at the Saddledome.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg