Players on good stats run in surge

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/03/2012 (5299 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PRODUCTION is showing up in a variety of ways for the Winnipeg Jets.

Not only is the team on a 5-1-2 run since mid-February, surging back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture, but several players have been expanding their statistical horizons.

Jets left-winger Evander Kane, with his four points Thursday night in the 7-0 romp over Florida, extended his consecutive-games points streak to eight.

After a wobbly start to 2012 that included time missed due to concussion, Kane has seven goals and 14 points during his streak.

Winnipeg also had another power-play goal Thursday, increasing the home percentage to 25.2, No. 1 in the NHL.

Blake Wheeler had two more points Thursday, giving him points in seven of the last eight games. He had four goals and 15 points in that stretch.

Defenceman Dustin Byfuglien’s consecutive-games assists and points streak ended Thursday at seven.

And through Thursday’s action, defenceman Mark Stuart, who chipped in two points, is tied for second in the NHL in shots blocked, with 152.

The Jets took Friday off and don’t return to action until Monday’s 7 p.m. start at the MTS Centre vs. Buffalo.

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True North Sports and Entertainment will keep up a successful tradition March 18 when the Carolina Hurricanes visit the Jets at the MTS Centre.

It will be Andrew Ladd Bobblehead Night.

The first 10,000 fans through the doors will receive a voucher for the bobblehead doll when they show their game ticket. The voucher can be redeemed inside the arena concourses for the likeness of the Jets captain, clad in his blue home uniform.

Ladd will join Mick E. Moose (2004), Mike Keane (2009), Cory Schneider (2010) and Nolan Baumgartner (2011) on the Winnipeg bobblehead roster.

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The Jets’ odd scoring play in Thursday’s third period was still a talker Friday. Bryan Little capped a five-on-one rush at 4:35 of the third period. Randy Jones and Blake Wheeler received the official assists on the play, which also saw Mark Stuart and Andrew Ladd rushing ahead of all but one Florida defender.

Wheeler intercepted a pass to pinching Florida defenceman Ed Jovanovski in the Jets’ zone and immediately turned the puck up the ice.

“I didn’t even know how it happened,” Little laughed. “I looked across, and at one point, we have four guys straight across. It almost puts more pressure on you to score.”

That was mostly how coach Claude Noel viewed the play.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one,” Noel said. “The fear is that it might be a four-on-oh coming back the other way.”

Jets winger Evander Kane said the play made him think of the movies.

“I’ve never seen anything like that at this level before,” Kane said. “I’ve been watching hockey since I was younger, but rushing five guys up the ice brought back memories of watching the Mighty Ducks and the ‘Flying V.’ “

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

He’s Buff

First half 2010-11: Dustin Byfuglien, 13 points in 40 games.

Second half 2011-12: Dustin Byfuglien, 18 points in 14 games.

To your health

On Thursday at the MTS Centre, D Zach Bogosian’s return marked just the 10th time this season the Jets had their projected full lineup in a game and just the 12th time the team’s consensus top-six defencemen were in the lineup.