The Winnipeg Jets are hoping for better things in 2016 and are hoping to turn the page as they approach the first half of the season . After making the playoffs last season, the Jets now find themselves near the bottom of the standings. The emergence of netminder Connor Hellebuyck has been one of the few bright spots for the team but the lack of discipline and troubles on the road have been the reocurring storylines.
After dropping a tight contest against the St. Louis Blues, the Winnipeg Jets responded with a 5-2 drubbing of the New York Rangers at the MTS Centre. The top line was on fire as Bryan Little scored twice in the first period and Blake Wheeler had four assists in the game. Connor Hellebuyck turned away 26 of 28 shots outduelling Henrik Lundqvist for the win.
The Jets set out on a quick two game road trip in Alberta facing off against two teams near the bottom of the standings. Winnipeg fired 45 shots against the Edmonton Oilers goaltender, Cam Talbot, but could only get one past. Talbot made save after save and the Teddy Purcell scored twice in the opening frame to lead the Oilers to a 3-1 victory. The following night, the red-hot Calgary Flames took advantage of a fatigued Jets squad to win their tenth straight game. Flames Johnny Gaudreau had a hat trick in the 4-1 win. Tyler Myers scored the lone Jets goal.
Two games at home was what the doctor ordered for the Jets. Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins visited the MTS Centre but was shut down by Hellebuyck. Bryan Little scored on a penalty shot in the first period and Hellebuyck recorded his first career shutout for a 1-0 win. Two nights later, Jacob Trouba had two goals in the first 40 minutes and was more than enough to stop the Detroit Red Wings 4-1. Little added two assists and Pavel Datsyuk scored the lone Wings goal.
Winnipeg’s road woes continued as they set out on a gruelling five game road swing in eight days. On New Year’s Eve, the Jets ended 2015 on a low note falling to the Arizona Coyotes 4-2. Ex-Jet Shane Doan scored twice for the Coyotes and Adam Lowry responded with a pair of goals for the Jets. Doan became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer surpassing Jets legend Dale Hawerchuck.
The Jets won the first of two games in California to snap their six game losing skid on the road. Drew Stafford opened the scoring against the San Jose Sharks shorthanded and Joel Armia tallied his first career goal. A couple powerplay goals sealed the deal to give the Jets a 4-1 win over the Sharks. Winnipeg couldn’t carry over the momentum over the following night, as they looked sluggish against the Anaheim Ducks. Kevin Bieksa and Rickard Rakell both had a goal and an assist to give the Ducks a 4-1 win. Michael Hutchinson stopped 31 of 35 shots in the loss.
The Winnipeg Jets (18-19-2) close out their road trip in Nashville followed by a stop in Dallas. The Jets will then play host to the Buffalo Sabres and will mark the return of Evander Kane.
Photos by Ron Cantiveros | Filipino Journal
