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The Set Up
I told you they were back. Alright sure, the Jets didn’t get outshot, and they had the better chances in the game, but it was goaltending and execution getting it done again. Good to see the consistent effort from start to finish against an easy-to-overlook opponent in the Ottawa Senators.
The Sens despite sitting second last in the East, are an up-and-coming team with pieces that can make plays, although we didn’t see much of that today. Much of the Senators chances were a result of shots from the outside; which is a strange strategy to employ against a defense core like the one the Jets have at the moment. Maybe they just don’t like afternoon games the way our boys do. Either way, it was a good way to spend the afternoon, if you’re a Jets fan.
LAINE!! pic.twitter.com/eM63md2XBW
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 8, 2020
1st Period
The game began with a couple so-so chances for each side, but it was the rough stuff that had everyone entertained. Beaulieu and Paul decided to throw down for some reason, after Ansimov’s attempt to open the scoring. A decent dust-up, with both boys keeping their rights free and seeking the big knock-out punch. Neither would get it, but we would all feel the adrenaline.
Nate Beaulieu and Nick Paul already drop the gloves not even 3 minutes into the game! #GoJetsGo #GoSensGo #NHL #HockeyTribune #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/av3GACwdFS
— The Hockey Tribune (@tribune_hockey) February 8, 2020
Tkachuck got the next chance, taking the saucer pass with a step and forcing Brossoit to make a stellar save.
Right back at it, Appleton raced into the zone, button-hooked and put it on a tee for the trailing Pionk. He got everything on the shot, just as Scheifele crossed with a perfect screen, and the Jets had the early lead.
Pionk opens the scoring! 1-0! #NHLJets #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/wjPOinxwnH
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 8, 2020
Next, Wheeler wearing the C like an absolute champ, took on Tkachuk after he hit Pionk in a vulnerable position.
Dumbest moment of the day goes to Garry Galley who is claiming that Tkachuk and Wheeler fought because it’s Hockey Day in Canada...... both players are American 😬 pic.twitter.com/9sJhu6WRSJ
— World Hockey Report (@worldhockeyrpt) February 8, 2020
Copp’s line would get stuck in their end for an extended shift, but do well to block a bunch of shots, fight off fatigue, and keep the Sens to the outside. And then Laine, with some instant karma, landed a big hit on Niku’s oppressor in the corner.
A second look at the huge hit Laine threw! #NHLJets #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/FaspoeoBXe
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 8, 2020
Just 25 seconds into the second, Tkachuk pitched a pass to Pageau, and despite the bouncing biscuit, backhanded it over Brossoit to tie it up at ones.
Ottawa ties it up. 1-1 pic.twitter.com/goLfB0dDIx
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 8, 2020
That continued when Ehlers, fresh out of the penalty box, banked a pass off the boards to himself and then fired it to Connor, who skated down his strong wing and sniped it short side. Sassy!
Kyle Connor gets one as he exits the penalty box! 2-1! #NHLJets #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/a6T0oDxGwK
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 8, 2020
Then White with the extra man, took the stretch pass, put the shoulder down, and went for the deke. Only to be stood up by the ‘Ssoit.
The Jets would get their powerplay going, when Laine gently lifted a skilled garbage goal over Anderson’s pads after a Pionk wrister that Connor deflected.
Laine breaks the powerplay drought! 3-1! #NHLJets #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/7pVWmsf8ni
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 8, 2020
Some choices were made defensively and now Ottawa is within 1. 3-2 pic.twitter.com/oKNw0voBK2
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 8, 2020
Laine makes it a 4-2 game with #JustTheTip. #NHLJets #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/bFCf6C9RCk
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 8, 2020
3rd Period
I guess the Senators coaching staff felt Anderson had done enough either to help them win or lose, so he was replaced by Hogberg to start the third. He’d get tested fairly quickly too, when Scheifele drop passed it to Connor who tried the shot off the toe drag. He’d whip the slick toe drag out again shortly after to set up Scheifele, but he got stick-checked at the last second.
The first line continued its dominance with a beautiful cross-ice pass from Laine to Connor, but Hogberg came across to block it at the last moment.
And then it was Laine time, finishing off his 8th hattrick, and first with exclusively, powerplay goals. The marker came on a beauty of a breakout that saw Laine backcheck and get the puck up to Connor, ceding to Wheeler, who waited and found the Finn for his third of the night.
HATRIK LAINE. 5-2! #NHLJets #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/fNhWoluiTy
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) February 8, 2020
The Wrap
The Jets played a solid game and got the result. It was nice to see them not taking the opposition lightly and not letting up after taking a lead. As it turns out. The Jets maintained their record of being the only undefeated team when leading after two. I’d put that feather in my cap.
So as of the writing of this, the Jets are a playoff team. Exciting, isn’t it? Arizona lost to Boston, so only Calgary and Nashville have the opportunity to pass them tonight. So, go Oilers and Canucks right?
Tomorrow the Jets take on another team hot on their heels in the Chicago Blackhwaks. The last one against them wasn’t so pretty when Patrick Kane got his 1000th and Jets went down 5 – 2. I think we’ll see a bit better showing this time round. Game starts at 6:00 pm.