Third period’s a charm Late surge powers Jets past Kraken By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 12:58 AM CST Saturday, Mar. 9, 2024

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This article was published 09/03/2024 (575 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SEATTLE — Laurent Brossoit called it a textbook defensive performance.

The Winnipeg Jets goalie had just provided a 17-save shutout for his first goose egg of the season and was spouting compliments as reporters made their way to discuss the 3-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena with captain Adam Lowry.

The visitors potted all their goals in the final frame.

“Maybe (Brossoit) saw it a little cleaner than I did. I think there’s still areas of the game, some chances we can clean up, some that we kind of gave them. But for the most part I think, compared to the odd-man rushes and the sloppy play we had at home against them a few days ago, I think it was a lot tighter,” said Lowry, who has now scored in consecutive games after enduring a 21-game drought.

“It’s always nice to hear your goalie compliment the team in front of him but he had another great game. He’s been great for us all year.”

There’s no argument here.

He certainly wasn’t overworked, but Brossoit provided another example of why he’s trending for more regular NHL work as he once again raised his save percentage and lowered his goals-against average.

“LB is a great goalie. We saw that when we played against him in the playoffs last year,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “It doesn’t feel any different when he’s in there. (Hellebuyck) is having a Hart Trophy-type of season but when LB goes in there, he’s been amazing. He’s been amazing all year and it doesn’t feel like we change our style at all. We have a ton of confidence in his game and he’s just been fantastic for us.”

“LB is a great goalie. We saw that when we played against him in the playoffs last year.”–Josh Morrissey

The Jets finished the game with 19 blocked shots as part of their committed defensive-zone effort.

“That’s a testament to the coaching staff. Some adjustments we made. We did some video (Thursday) on areas that we can clean up,” said Lowry.

The Jets, who improved to 40-17-5 on the season, close out this two-game road trip on Saturday at Rogers Arena against the Vancouver Canucks.

Let’s take a closer look at what transpired in the Emerald City:

1. Lighting the lamp – The Jets opened the scoring after an outstanding read by Morrissey at the left point.

The puck eventually got to Vladislav Namestnikov, who found Scheifele all alone in front for his 19th goal of the campaign.

“He saw that they were a little tired and he had good support from the forwards so he could stand in there and force the turnover,” said Jets head coach Rick Bowness. “That is hockey IQ. And you can do that but you’ve got to compete to keep that puck in and he did everything, so he was outstanding.”

Morrissey is making a habit of being outstanding this season.

“He saw that they were a little tired and he had good support from the forwards so he could stand in there and force the turnover”–Rick Bowness

“He’s incredible. We’re so fortunate that we’ve kind of seen the evolution before our eyes,” said Lowry. “He should be a perennial Norris candidate for many years to come. What makes him so effective and so important is his ability to make smart reads. He takes gambles, but the odds are in his favour. I think that’s huge. He could have easily had three or four points tonight.

“He shuts plays down in the D-zone, he joins the rush, he keeps plays alive at the blue line. I think he’s able to create something out of nothing almost every time you go low to high. He’s so patient with the puck, he’s got so much confidence, he draws the guy out there and then he’s able to beat him, and before you know it, you force the defenders decision. He’s had another terrific year for us so far.”

After scoring through the five-hole of goalie Joey Daccord, Scheifele turned and pointed at Morrissey, an acknowledgment that the goal doesn’t happen without his effort.

Lowry made it 2-0 with his 10th of the year and then Nikolaj Ehlers rounded out the scoring for the Jets with an empty-netter for his 19th.

2. The scare – Scheifele showed outstanding hustle on the backcheck after a turnover at the offensive blue line by Ehlers, laying out to stick check Andre Burakovsky.

Scheifele laid out on the play but as Burakovsky fell to the ice, his skate caught the Jets’ centre in the head area near the ear.

Scheifele scurried down the tunnel for repairs and was called for tripping on the play, but it was another example of excellent two-way play from the Jets’ leading scorer.

After making his way through concussion protocol, he returned to the bench with just over three minutes to go in regulation and went out for one shift.

“It’s a big back check. He put his head down and forced Burakovsky to have to shoot it rather than have lots of time,” said Morrissey. “It’s scary when you see a teammate and one of my best friends take a skate sort of in the head, but thankfully he seemed OK and it was a huge boost to get him back.”

3. The disruption – With just over three minutes to go in the first period, the Kraken were attacking the Jets on a three-on-one rush that appeared to be well on the way to creating a glorious scoring chance before Jets blue-liner Dylan Samberg made an assertive decision to pressure the puck carrier (Kraken centre Yanni Gourde).

Samberg slid across to prevent Gourde from finding either the trailer or the guy driving to the net, shutting down the rush entirely.

“It’s one of the times when there’s a bit of risk-reward in the game,” said Morrissey. “We get a big opportunity the one way and you’ve got to take advantage of those. We had a three-on-two or a four-on-two and we don’t convert and it goes the other way. That’s hockey, I don’t think that’s one you’re going to complain too much about.

“He’s just got great instincts defensively, a big guy with a long stick and a long reach. He made an aggressive play there, that’s often the better play, trying to be aggressive. Unheralded play, but fantastic.”

It was the type of smart, subtle play that has allowed Samberg to expand his role on the Jets’ blue line this season.

4. The additions – Lowry was asked about the Jets bringing in forward Tyler Toffoli and defenceman Colin Miller on Friday to augment the earlier addition of Sean Monahan.

“Super excited. Firstly, just seeing how Sean’s come into the fold and how important he’s been. To add a guy like Tyler, with his pedigree. He’s an unbelievable scorer and he’s great on both sides of the puck,” said Lowry. “The big thing is that’s just another huge add to our already deep group up front. That’s so exciting, a guy that’s won the Stanley Cup. He has that experience in those long playoff runs. He’s a competitor.

“To add a guy like Tyler, with his pedigree. He’s an unbelievable scorer and he’s great on both sides of the puck”–Adam Lowry

“And then to add Colin, he’s got some playoff experience, right-handed defenceman. He can bomb the puck. I think depth is critically important. Looking at how all the teams in the West loaded up, we’re really excited with those adds. That’s a huge confidence boost we get from up top that they believe in this team, and rightfully so. We’ve proven this year that we have the chance to make some noise in the playoffs.”

5. Extra, extra – The Jets made a couple of changes to the lineup on Friday, inserting Rasmus Kupari on the fourth line at centre for David Gustafsson and bringing back Nate Schmidt on the third pairing for Logan Stanley.

With the Jets adding a couple of players prior to the deadline, it’s important to remember that no additional roster moves are required since the team remains under the salary cap ceiling. That means nobody will be subjected to waivers or assigned to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was asked about the future of top forward prospect Rutger McGroarty during his press conference on Friday, but it’s too early to project when the University of Michigan Wolverines winger could be joining the organization.

“Obviously, his team is entering into the playoffs here shortly,” said Cheveldayoff. “I actually had a conversation with his agent, or representative, a couple of days ago there. We are a team that kind of stays back. We go there to watch the game, we go there to say hello, we don’t go there to talk business. We were there to support our players and make sure that their teams have the best possible player in front of them and not thinking about the future. We told the agent that we’ll have those conversations when, hopefully, a little ways away yet when Rutger’s team goes far into the playoffs. But we’ll see how some things are at that point in time.”

The Wolverines opened the Big10 playoffs on Friday night and McGroarty had a big impact, scoring twice — including the game-winner — in a 5-4 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Although Cheveldayoff is adamant about waiting until McGroarty’s season is complete before moving forward, there is an expectation the organization will offer an entry-level contract and that he will turn pro at the end of his NCAA season.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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