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Jets Defeat Stars 5-1, Stars Show Up; Key Game Takeaways |
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The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Dallas Stars 5-1, to continue on with their dominant stretch of games. With a record of 6-0-1 in their past seven games, the Jets are now tied with the Stars for the top spot in the division.
Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey led the way to the victory, as well as Connor Hellebuyck shutting the door yet again. The Jets are really starting to buy into the Bowness system, and they are getting more and more comfortable with it each game they play.
After a scoreless first period, it only took three minutes for the Stars to open the scoring in the second period. After that, it was all Winnipeg.
Scheifele scored his first of two of the night, and got the Jets on the board just 21 seconds after Jason Robertson's goal. Dubois would add another goal just 70 seconds later to give the Jets the lead, and Scheifele extended the lead to 3-1, all happening in just over three minutes from the Stars game-opening goal.
This kind of bounce-back ability is exactly what the Jets were missing last year. It felt like every time the Jets got scored on, they would be deflated, and show no drive to get one back.
Saku Maenalanen earned his first career NHL goal to close out the second period, and Mason Appleton would finish off the game with an empty-netter for the 5-1 victory.
Key Stat-lines
(G-A-P)
Kyle Connor - 0-3-3
Mark Scheifele - 2-0-2
Mason Appleton - 1-2-3
Connor Hellebuyck - 21/22 Saves, .955 SV%, 0.82 GSAx
Additional Stat Observations:
David Gustafsson - 1/11, 9.1% on faceoffs
Josh Morrissey - 5 SOG
Dylan Samberg - 4 Hits
Now, some more specific key factors to the game:
Hellebuyck Continues Hot Streak
Don't look now, but Connor Hellebuyck is one of the top goalies in the NHL, who could have guessed, right?
With a save percentage of .938 and a GAA on 1.98, he is among the leagues best so far this year, and among his competitors, he has the most games played.
Hellebuyck, after a down year last year, looks to be beack in the Vezina conversation, where he belongs. His GSAx on the season has bumped up to 11.3, which only trails Carter Hart at this point.
It is very exciting seeing Hellebuyck back to his form and the Jets are getting better with each game, making his job easier and easier.
Connor and Scheifele Swapping Roles?
Since when did Mark Scheifele become the new Ovechkin?
And when did Kyle Connor become an elite set-up guy?
On the season, Mark Scheifele has 8 goals, which is tied for 8th in the NHL, and Kyle Connor has 8 assists.
As it seems they have swapped their usual roles, it is great to see. Connor has a shooting percentage of 4.7%, which is incredibly unsustainable for a player of that caliber. Connor currently sits 17th in the NHL for expected goals, with advanced stats telling us he should have 6.4 goals. for GAx, he sits second last, only ahead of Sam Bennett.
On the flip side, Mark Scheifele is second on the list, with 4.5 goals scored above expected. I am sure nobody is complaining, as the production is still there, but what a strange stat for the linemates. Scheifele has all of the goals that Connor should have.
Josh Morrissey For Norris...?
Josh Morrissey registered his 11th assist in his 12th game last night. As he currently leads the team in points, at a point-per-game, and his defensive metrics looking better each night, there may be a serious case for Morrissey in the Norris conversation. I mean, as of today, it is Erik Karlsson's trophy, but Morrissey has to opportunity to keep himself in the conversation throughout the entire year.
He is finally emerging as a true number one defender, and it is showing in team results. I am going to save some of my thoughts here for a piece over the next few days about this emergence specifically, but it is definitely worth noting here.
Let me know your thoughts on the game in the comment section, and how the Jets may have a team with players in the Lady Byng, Norris, and Vezina conversation as we pass the 1/7th mark of the season.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • 
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