Jets pound capitals as hellebuyck returns to the net
RECAP:
The Winnipeg Jets are back in business.
On Saturday, fans gathered at Canada Life Centre were treated to one of the first 'complete' Jets games of the season, from start to finish.
Scoring five goals - two in the first period, another two in the second and one more in the third - Winnipeg picked up a 5-1 win over Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, improving to an even 15-15-1 on the season.
Part of that revitalization? The return of Connor Hellebuyck after a three-week, 11-game (2-8-1) absence, and game No. 1,000 for Nino Niederreiter.
Both players performed well, with Hellebuyck taking the cake. He turned aside all but one of the shots he faced - a power play marker late in the third period on a Capitals' five-on-three - and picked up a critical win in test No. 3 of a four-game homestand.
The Jets received two goals from Gabe Vilardi, while Morgan Barron, Alex Iafallo and Logan Stanley also found the twine on the night.
The win brought Winnipeg back to .500 on the season and the team will get right back at it on Monday night against Ottawa.
HIGHLIGHTS:
PHOTOS:
The extended photo library from Saturday's game vs. Washington is courtesy of Scott Stroh:
QUOTEABLE:
Connor Hellebuyck on his return to play:
“I said Day 1 that it was going to take me three weeks. I know I’ve got a great team around me and I know how hard I was going to work. It was a lot of hours and a lot of dialling some things in and making sure I didn’t take any steps back. Every day I was taking big steps forward. I felt like I started ahead of schedule already, so like I said it was just a great job from everyone involved and I am very grateful to have them in my bubble.”
Nino Niederreiter on his team's play:
"Tonight is definitely the way we need to play for 60 minutes and for more than one game. That is something in which we gotta do and obviously Monday is another big day for us, and we have to make sure we play some great hockey until Christmas."
WHAT’S NEXT:
Next up for Winnipeg is the final test of the four-game homestand, as the Ottawa Senators roll into town for a Monday night affair at Canada Life Centre. It is an Amazon Prime game, so those wanting to view it live will need to get down to the arena or upgrade their subscription plans.
Comments