The Winnipeg Jets dug themselves a deep, deep first-period hole in Nashville on Thursday night. It was so deep a backhoe couldn't get them out.
And despite a solid effort for the next two periods, it simply wasn't enough as the Jets fell 5-2 to the Predators in an important intra-divisional game.
"It could have been a whole new game if we'd scored early and changed the tempo of the game," said Jets assistant captain Mark Scheifele. "We started off the second good and let it get away from us later, but I really liked our third period. We were on the puck, got a lot of O-zone time, got pucks in deep and got a lot of chances, but (Juuse) Saros made some big saves. It's tough to get yourself out of a hole like that."
This one was over early. Eeli Tolvanen, Mikael Granlund and Ryan Johanson all scored for Nashville in the first period and the Jets, a team that simply doesn't score enough goals (for reasons we don't quite understand, considering all the money invested in goal scorers), were done.
In the second period, Pierre-Luc Dubois made it 3-1 with his 17th of the season from Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey on the power play at 6:41, but Nashville regained its three-goal lead when Luke Kunin beat Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck at 12:22.
At the 25-second mark of the third period, Mark Scheifele scored his 10th of the year to give the Jets some hope (Morrissey and Andrew Copp drew the assists), but despite outshooting Nashville 15-4 in the third period (29-12 in the final 40 minutes), the Preds ended up getting an empty-net goal from Tanner Jeannot at 19:39 to make it 5-2 and help Juuse Saros earn the win in the Preds net.
Winnipeg outshot Nashville 38-23 and won 57 per cent of the face-offs. The Jets went one-for-five on the power play while Nashville was zero-for-three, but once again, stats are for losers. The Jets were much the better team for the final 40 minutes but their near season-long scoring drought assured them of a road loss. Without Nikolaj Ehlers and Blake Wheeler, these Jets often appear lost in front of the net -- plenty of chances, but no finish.
Winnipeg is now 17-13-6 on the season while Nashville improved to 25-14--3. On the bright side, the Jets have six games in hand on the No. 2 team in the West.
The Jets play again on Saturday afternoon in Boston. Game time is 2 p.m. CST.

Winnipeg Jets3 years ago
Slow Start Costs Jets a Chance in Nashville
Photo by Photo of Mark Scheifele by Jordy Grossman

By Scott TaylorJanuary 20, 2022
Read Next

Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets
Jets Play Perfect Jets Hockey and Shut Out Dallas 4-0 | 10 days ago

Winnipeg Jets
Game 5 Game On Recap: Winnipeg Jets 4 Dallas Stars 0 | 10 days ago

Winnipeg Jets
Game 2 Game On Recap: Winnipeg Jets 4 Dallas Stars 0 | 16 days ago

Winnipeg Jets
Rantanen Scores Three As Dallas Takes The Opener 3-2 | 18 days ago

Winnipeg Jets
Game 1 Game On Recap: Winnipeg Jets 2 Dallas Stars 3 | 18 days ago

Winnipeg Jets
The Miracle on Portage Avenue: Jets Come Back to Win Game 7 in Double OT | 21 days ago

Winnipeg Jets
Game 7 Game On Recap: Winnipeg Jets 4 St. Louis Blues 3 | 21 days ago

Winnipeg Jets
Jets Beat Blues 5-3 in a Rock 'em, Sock 'em Affair in Game 5 | 25 days ago

Winnipeg Jets
Game 5 Game On Recap: Winnipeg Jets 5 St. Louis Blues 3 | 25 days ago
Loading...
Top Contributors
Loading contributors...
Trending Now
Loading articles...
Loading...
Loading
Comments