Penalty-kill’s rise from the ashes fuels Jets’ plan to March into playoffs

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This article was published 28/02/2020 (2019 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It wasn’t very long ago when the only thing the Winnipeg Jets were killing when they took a penalty were their chances of winning a hockey game. And, by extension, their hopes of making the playoffs.

But it’s been a much different story lately.

Paul Maurice’s group has given up just two power goals in 14 February games, going 31-for-33 and even scoring a short-handed goal for good measure. It’s not a coincidence the Jets have gone 8-4-2 in that span to remain relevant in the playoff race.

Winnipeg (33-27-6) will try to end the month on a high note Saturday night in Edmonton against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers, who boast the NHL’s most-potent power play.

Going from ghastly to great on the penalty kill is even more impressive when you consider the Jets have been without the services of shut-down centre Adam Lowry since mid-January, and top defenceman Josh Morrissey for the past three games. Both injured players skated in non-contact jerseys Friday at Bell MTS Place and are getting closer to returning.

Others have stepped up in their absence and taken on expanded roles, including defenceman Nathan Beaulieu. He played a season-high 25:06 in Thursday night’s 3-0 win over Washington and blocked seven shots, which is just two off the Jets 2.0 record held by Morrissey.

“I feel good,” he said with a laugh after the club’s optional practice. “Fortunately, none broke my bones this time, which is nice.”

Beaulieu has been sidelined by shot-blocking injuries three times this season.

“Obviously missing so much time, wanting to be out there, and now there’s more injuries, opportunity’s going to present itself. When there’s more penalty kills and you’ve got a matchup at home you’re going to play a little more minutes. I’m just trying to take it in full stride,” he said.

Maurice has utilized some different personnel lately, including defenceman Dylan DeMelo and forward Cody Eakin, who were both acquired last week in separate trades. Forwards Andrew Copp, Mason Appleton and waiver-wire pickup Nick Shore have also stabilized the unit.

“We’ve been aggressive in spots that we can be. And then when we’re giving up chances, (goalies Laurent Brossoit and Connor Hellebuyck) have made some pretty big saves. It’s a combination of those things and really working at it,” said Shore.

“We’re doing a good job of not giving up too much. And then when we are, our goalies are there to make some big saves.”

When the penalty kill was languishing near the bottom of the league, it was clear the Jets were often too passive, giving their opponent easy entry into their zone and settling into the traditional box, which allowed far too many pucks to get to the net.

But now, there’s a more aggressive approach that is paying off. And like a lot of what happens in pro sports, one good thing can lead to another as momentum builds.

“I give a lot of credit to Copper and Shoresy,” Beaulieu said. “Obviously missing (Lowry) is a big thing for our penalty kill. But getting those first touches, winning draws and communicating, they’ve done a great job. It really starts with them. They set the tone.

“Penalty kills are a freaky thing. Sometimes it feels like you’re killing well and a couple go in that shouldn’t. Obviously (Hellebuyck) has been our best killer all year. Things are going well for us right now so we’re not trying to look into it too much.”

Indeed, the Jets will need to continue trending in the right direction if they want to be playing hockey beyond early April. They go into this weekend tied with Nashville for the final Western Conference wild-card playoff spot, while also trailing Calgary by a point and Edmonton and Vancouver by two. Arizona is two points behind Winnipeg, and Minnesota is just three back.

Winnipeg will play those six teams a total of nine times in their final 16 regular-season games. In that sense, there’s going to be plenty of so-called “four-pointers” on the horizon, beginning with the old Smythe Division meeting with the Oilers.

“It’s a dogfight to the finish line here. I think we just go forward with the same mentality. Stay confident, stay having fun and compete,” said defenceman Anthony Bitetto, who has gone from healthy scratch to a valuable part of the penalty kill for the past three games in Morrissey’s absence.

“This is the best part of the year. It’s fun to be playing these games. I think it’s going to set us up for when we get in the playoffs, we’ll have kind of been playing in that playoff mentality for this month of March coming up. So you get in that mindset early and you continue with it.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg