Brossoit back in win column

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This article was published 09/02/2020 (2038 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IT will be overshadowed by other storylines, what with Patrik Laine’s hat trick, Kyle Connor’s four-point outing and Neal Pionk’s eventful three-point performance.

But there was another significant development on Saturday afternoon at Bell MTS Place, one that could go a long way to determining if the Winnipeg Jets can make the playoffs: Laurent Brossoit finally won a game.

It’s been a tough go for the backup goaltender, who began the day just 4-7-0 and with a rather bloated 3.59 goals-against-average and .885 save-percentage. But if the Jets are to enjoy sustained success, they’re going to need to give workhorse and undisputed team MVP Connor Hellebuyck the occasional day off while also still finding ways to put up points.

Mission accomplished against the admittedly lowly Ottawa Senators, as Brossoit got back in the win column for the first time since Dec. 10.

“It means he’s a part of this kind of turnaround that we’re on. We know that we’ve got 15 in 29 here and that we’ve got to get him to play, and in the right sequence of games to keep Connor real fresh. And then he’s going to have to be the difference too,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice.

Brossoit last got the net on Jan. 31, when Winnipeg returned from an eight-day break out of the All-Star game to take on the big, bad Boston Bruins at Bell MTS Place. And while they lost a 2-1 heartbreaker, it was one of the more complete games of their season. Brossoit looked especially sharp.

“He was really good there. So he comes into (Saturday) with confidence, not having sat out for two weeks, he comes in feeling confident. So this just allows us to kind of stick with the plan of getting him back in sooner rather than later and being able to time it right for Connor,” said Maurice.

Brossoit made 25 saves against the Senators, and he definitely had no chance on the two goals he gave up. One was on an Ottawa two-on-one that ended with a perfect Jean-Gabriel Pageau backhander, and the other was on a gaffe from defenceman Neal Pionk that basically gave Mikkel Boedker an empty-net.

Brossoit, in just his 13th start of the season, made a number of big saves, including one off a Colin White breakaway in the second period when the Jets were only up by a goal. The 26-year-old pending unrestricted free agent is now 5-7-0, with a 3.48 GAA and .888 SV%.

“He’s been solid. He works so hard. You see him after practice, he puts in the time and the effort. It’s really nice to see that hard work pay off for him. We’re a confident group in front of him as well and we showed it,” said Connor.

Hellebuyck will be back in his usual spot on Sunday evening as the Jets host the Chicago Blackhawks, making his 44th start of the season. There’s no question he’s going to see a ton of work down the stretch, with Winnipeg battling for a Western Conference playoff spot.

However, with 26 games left on the regular-season schedule, Brossoit should expect a handful of spot starts along the way. It’s worth noting the just have just two sets of back-to-back games left after this weekend, both on the road, which would allow for Hellebuyck to play a lot and still get plenty of rest.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg