Jets within striking distance

CHICAGO — Scott Arniel clearly understood the challenges of facing the 31st team in the NHL standings was considerably different than facing the top team, like the Winnipeg Jets did in the two prior games.

But the head coach gave his group a quick mathematics lesson as part of his message before they faced the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

“Two points against Chicago are the exact same two points against Colorado,” said Arniel. “We have to make sure what we did the other night is a constant. It isn’t changing because we’re playing a different team.”

Well, the outing wasn’t quite as crisp as it was in Denver in the 4-2 triumph over the Avalanche but the final outcome brought the two points Arniel was seeking after a 4-3 overtime victory that pulled the Jets within one point of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Mark Scheifele showed great patiece and found Kyle Connor alone in the slot 33 seconds into overtime for the goal that secured the valuable extra point.

“We’ve seen a lot of that over the years,” said Arniel. “It’s kind of been his whole season: when we need a big moment, a big play, he’s certainly responded. It was a heck of a play.”

Securing the additional point in extra time has been a challenge for the Jets this season, but this play was a thing of beauty.

“The three of us have spent a lot of time together in overtime and we take a lot of pride in it,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey, who tied the game 1-1 early in the second period on a nifty individual effort. “We haven’t ended as many games this year as we have in years past, in OT, but it was just a great play on that one. I tried to go to the net and take somebody with me and then Scheifele makes an incredible play and that is the type of finish that KC has. I don’t think anyone is stopping that.”

The Jets, who improved to 32-30-12, have eight games remaining in the regular season and continue this four-game road trip on Thursday against the Dallas Stars.

Here’s what else transpired in this one:

FOURTH LINE STRIKE

Without having the benefit of the last change on the road trip, there hasn’t been a ton of ice time available for the Jets’ inexperienced fourth line of Danny Zhilkin, Isak Rosen and Parker Ford.

But the trio was sent over the boards for an offensive-zone faceoff during the second period and they delivered an important goal that gave the Jets a two-goal lead.

Ford won a battle down low and Zhilkin drove the puck to the net on a wraparound chance that bounced in front, where Rosen pounced on the rebound and buried his shot.

For Zhilkin, it was his first NHL point while Rosen scored his second goal in his 13th game since joining the Jets in the deadline deal with the Buffalo Sabres.

Later in the game, Zhilkin was called upon for an important defensive-zone draw on the penalty kill that he ended up winning.

“You know what, he’s good at face-offs and that’s great that he can get out there and do those things,” said Arniel. “But to get a point – I know he was up earlier in the year and had some looks – but that’s great for him to feel a part of it. Everybody has got to chip in and it’s great to see him do that too.”

POWER (PLAY) RESTORED

To say the Jets’ power play has suffered an outage lately is an understatement.

But after a seven-for-66 stretch during the previous 24 games that dropped them to 28th among 32 teams, the Jets got a massive goal with the man-advantage during the second period.

With 13 seconds remaining in a minor penalty for tripping to Blackhawks defenceman Ethan Del Mastro, Cole Perfetti buried a one-timer on a two-on-one rush after a perfect pass from Alex Iafallo to give the Jets a 2-1 lead.

There probably isn’t nearly enough runway for the Jets to move into the middle third of the NHL in power play efficiency, but those numbers won’t matter if they can find a way to deliver a few more important goals during the stretch run.

The Jets also survived a two-man disadvantage in the third period that lasted more than a minute.

THE KEY PLAY

Scheifele made a perfect pass in the slot to Connor for the overtime winner.

THE THREE STARS

1. Mark Scheifele, Jets: Three assists to hit 92 points.
2. Tyler Bertuzzi, Blackhawks: Two goals.
3. Kyle Connor, Jets: Overtime winner.

RETURN TO ‘NORMAL’

Jets centre Jonathan Toews will be eternally grateful for the heartwarming and thunderous ovation he received in his return to the United Center in January, but he also welcomed the fact this latest visit wasn’t filled with as much pomp or circumstance.

“Yeah, a little bit more relaxed,” Toews said after the morning skate when he was surrounded by a dozen reporters. “(This time) it’s all hockey. That was a super special moment (last time). Had no expectation whatsoever and that blew it out of the water.”

THE UPDATE

Following the game, Arniel said the plan for Jets forward Morgan Barron is to meet the team in Dallas, though it’s unclear if he will be an option to suit up on Thursday or not.

Barron has been in concussion protocol since taking a hard right hand to the chin in a fight with Avalanche defenceman Josh Manson, but he was back on the ice on Monday as he continues his recovery.

Fellow forwards Nino Niederreiter and Vladislav Namestnikov (both dealing with lower-body injuries) remained in non-contact jerseys and there is no timetable for their return.

EXTRA, EXTRA

Prior to the game, Connor saluted the work of Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison.

“It’s awesome. Every time you hear the anthem, it’s a lot of fun but here, it gets the whole crowd going and it almost seems like they pump in noise because it’s so loud,” said Connor. “But it’s because everybody is just so fired up. He does a great job. It’s one of the best buildings to hear the anthem in, for sure.”

The healthy scratches for the Jets were defencemen Haydn Fleury and Ville Heinola, while forward Gustav Nyquist is dealing with an undisclosed ailment.

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