Jets hold sense of optimism after Game 3 loss

Published Apr 22, 2023  •  3 minute read

Connor Hellebuyck (37) of the Winnipeg Jets skates off as members of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate victory in the second overtime period of Game 3 of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 22, 2023 at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. Photo by Jason Halstead /Getty Images

Through two periods on Saturday afternoon in downtown Winnipeg, the hometown Jets were getting put through the paces by the visiting Vegas Golden Knights.

Trailing 4-1 heading into the third period, the Jets had mustered just 11 shots on former Winnipeg backup Laurent Brossoit.

Brossoit didn’t look comfortable all night, but the Jets seemed content not testing that theory, perhaps too busy chasing Jack Eichel and Co. around the ice to find any sustained offence.

After playing great hockey in the first four periods of the series, the pendulum swung, with Vegas easily winning the four that followed. Puck management issues began to spread, and the Jets were struggling in the transition game.

As Adam Lowry put it post-game, they just weren’t sharp enough.

Saving face in a game that appeared to be heading for a disappointing loss would require the Jets to regain their Game 1 form.

They did, proving the Brossoit theory true as they rattled off three goals on 17 third-period shots to force overtime.

And even if it ended in heartbreak, with Vegas forward Michael Amadio scoring 3:40 into the second overtime period to take Game 3 by a 5-4 scoreline, the Jets reassured themselves that there’s plenty left in the tank.

“We know the character we have in this room,” Brenden Dillon said. “We know the character of guys and we never, for one second, thought we were out of that game. Right until the last buzzer of the third period, we battled and (Lowry) coming through with an unbelievable effort. He’s been doing stuff like that all year, but it didn’t matter what line was going out there, we all just wanted to contribute and wanted to be that hero.”

Lowry’s goal with 22 seconds left in the third period was a heroic effort from a player that’s stepped up immensely in this series. His four goals lead the Jets offensively, and his defensive play has been stellar, never mind his work on the penalty kill.

But what it really showed was Winnipeg’s resolve.

They were well on their way to getting embarrassed in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd. And then they weren’t, feeding off the energy 15,000-plus came bearing in droves.

“When Nino (Niederreiter) scored early, it gave us some momentum and got the building rocking again,” Lowry said. “Rightfully so, the wind had gotten taken out of their sails with our lacklustre second. But (Mark Scheifele) scores a huge power-play goal, and anything can kind of happen with the net out.”

Winnipeg showed the no-quit attitude needed in the playoffs.

“We know we’re a good team. We know what we have to do to be successful,” Niederreiter said. “The first two periods, we didn’t quite show it the way we wanted to. We have to make sure we get pucks in deep and do all the hard work, but I think that’s something we didn’t do in the first. That third period, we knew we had to play to our identity to be successful and that’s exactly what happened.”

As tough as the loss may have seemed, Winnipeg felt they deserved better after giving themselves a real chance in Game 3.

Their next test comes Monday night, as near as makes no difference, a must-win for the Jets.

In NHL history, only 31 teams have ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in a series to win.

One of the difficulties when it comes to critiquing Connor Hellebuyck’s play is that, without him, the Jets wouldn’t in the playoffs.

But after posting a crisp .941 save percentage in Game 1, he’s followed that up by allowing 10 goals — five in Game 2 and then in Game 3 again on Saturday — to post back-to-back sub-.900 save percentage games.

Through three starts, Hellebuyck has an .894 save percentage and a 3.25 goals-against average in all situations. His 5-on-5 numbers are only slightly better at .904 and 2.93, respectively. In terms of goals saved above expected, he’s giving up more than, well, expected.

So how does Brossoit compare?

He’s allowed 10 goals in the series — Hellebuyck has allowed 11 now — with a .897 save percentage and a 2.97 goals-against average in all situations. His goals saved above expected number isn’t that much better, but it’s his 5-on-5 numbers that are making the difference, with a .917 and a 2.20, respectively.

Most importantly, however, is that Brossoit is 2-1 and Hellebuyck is 1-2.

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Twitter: @scottbilleck

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