Different overtime combos don’t produce

The only thing Mark Scheifele could do was look skyward in disbelief.

The Winnipeg Jets’ first-line centre was on the ice in the waning moments of Monday’s game with the Ottawa Senators, doing everything in his power to help preserve a one-goal lead.

With Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson looking to unload a shot from the point during a six-on-five situation, Scheifele instinctively got his stick in the lane in an effort to block it.

Instead of preventing the puck from getting to the net, Sanderson’s shot changed direction and somehow made it behind Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck with 1:54 to go in regulation time.

“Yeah, that was one of those ones where you almost can’t believe it,” Scheifele said on Tuesday before the Jets departed to St. Louis to open a three-game road trip against the Blues. “It hits the middle of your stick and happens to go up in the air so slow and somehow comes down in the net. That’s the way she goes sometimes.”

There’s no doubt the play represents a bit of bad luck for Scheifele, who is having a fantastic season for the Jets.

Rather than lament the unfortunate bounce on the equalizer, Scheifele and company quickly went on the attack in overtime, creating an early opportunity for defenceman Josh Morrissey.

One shift later, Scheifele showcased his vision and passing ability, executing a perfect pass through the skates of Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and onto the stick of Kyle Connor, who was robbed on the redirection chance by Senators goalie Linus Ullmark.

What did Scheifele see in real time as the odd-man rush developed?

“Honestly it looked like a pretty big hole to me,” said Scheifele, who is up to 16 goals and 40 points in 32 games this season. “You’re just trying to read their stick, the way they turn their feet, all that kind of stuff.

“If I were to re-do it again, I probably wish that pass was a hair faster to beat the goalie. Great save. Ullmark made two big saves in overtime to keep them in it, so kudos to him.”

PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION

During his media availability, Jets head coach Scott Arniel was asked a few questions about the deployment of his bench in overtime.

The trio of Scheifele, Connor and Morrissey routinely start the three-on-three sessions for the Jets and they’ve enjoyed a tremendous amount of success over the years, often ending the extra session in the opening minute.

With that in mind, how does Arniel decide which players are going over the boards next?

“It has a lot to do with who’s coming over the boards on the opposition side as well,” said Arniel. “They started (Claude) Giroux to get the faceoff and then (Senators head coach Travis Green is) making changes. It’s just different scenarios that come from the opposition.”

Arniel tried some different combinations on Monday, providing opportunities for Gustav Nyquist, Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti at various stages of overtime.

Gabe Vilardi was up next to go onto the ice if Tkachuk hadn’t buried a pass from Sanderson to secure the extra point for the Senators

“But at the end of the day, I’m going to try to make sure that Scheif, KC, and J-Mo are out there as much as possible,” said Arniel. “They have a history of ending games and I thought (they had) two glorious chances last night to finish it.

Arniel was asked if Morgan Barron, who has two goals and an assist during his past three games, would be someone that warrants consideration for three-on-three work in the future, given his combination of size and speed.

“Obviously, he’s having a good year,” said Arniel. “We haven’t had a whole lot of these (overtime games). But (Monday) night, (Arniel was) trying to get Perfetti going. Maybe that’s the situation. And it didn’t work out, but at the end of the day it’s him recognizing that there’s still belief and hopefully, he can go out and maybe make a difference. I’ve got guys looking back at me every time three-on-three starts.”

STANLEY IN GOOD COMPANY

Stanley’s been praised for his offensive contributions on the secondary scoring side of things, but a further look under the hood shows what he’s doing is even more impressive than one might have originally thought.

Stanley is tied with Nino Niederreiter, Alex Iafallo and Namestnikov for fourth place on the team in goals with six.

Since all six of those goals have come at even strength, Stanley finds himself tied for fourth among all defencemen in the NHL in that category with Edmonton Oilers blue-liner Darnell Nurse, going into Tuesday’s action.

The only three D-men with more markers at even strength include Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals.

Dominion City product Denton Mateychuk is tied for sixth with five even-strength goals, while Jets alternate captain Josh Morrissey is tied for 11th with four.

SCOUTING THE BLUES

The Jets will be facing a Blues team that figures to be feeling similar tension as it relates to the standings in the Western Conference.

Entering the contest, the Jets hold a one-point edge while holding two games in hand.

The Blues have been led by centre Robert Thomas, who has seven goals and 23 points in 30 games.

Forwards Dylan Holloway (eight goals, 17 points), Jordan Kyrou (eight goals, 16 points) and Jimmy Snuggerud (five goals, 11 points) are among the Blues that are sidelined with injuries right now.

Between the pipes, Winnipegger Joel Hofer is 5-7-2 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .890 save percentage in 18 games (and 15 starts), while Jordan Binnington is off to a slow start and looking to round into form after starting the campaign with a 7-8-5 record, a 3.49 goals-against average and .869 save percentage in 21 games (including 19 starts).

The Jets have banked three of four available points since goalie Connor Hellebuyck returned to the lineup, but they’re looking to go into the Christmas break feeling better about their lot in life.

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