Winnipeg Jets: 3 Talking Points as the Jets Win Their 2021 Home Opener
The Winnipeg Jets opened the Canada Life Centre with a 5-1 win against the Ducks. Here are three talking points from the game.
The Winnipeg Jets were on home ice for the first time this season after completing a three-game road trip where they only picked up one of a possible six points available.
The Jets were also looking to avenge their season opening loss to the Ducks and pick up their first win of the season in their home opener.
Winnipeg played well last night as they scored five unanswered goals en route to a 5-1 win and picked up their first win of the 2021-2022 season.
Here are three talking points from the Jets 5-1 win versus the Ducks:
3. No Wheeler, No Schiefele, No Problem
The Jets had to face a lot of adversity before this game even began. Before their game on Wednesday night, the Jets announced that their captain, Blake Wheeler tested positive for COVID-19, and yesterday morning they announced that star player, Mark Schiefele had entered into the NHL COVID protocol.
The Jets had to adjust without two of their “top players” and leaders on this team. Paul Maurice decided to dress eleven forwards and seven defensemen for this game and moved his lines around.
Evgeny Svechnikov and Pierre-Luc Dubois were moved to the first line with Kyle Connor, and the Jets’ second line stayed intact. The third line consisted of Jasen Harkins, Adam Lowry, and Kristian Vesalainen, while the Jets’ had a two-man fourth line of Riley Nash and Dominic Toninato.
It took the Jets some time to adjust to these new lines and they gave up an early goal just under three minutes into the game, but they finally found their groove later in the period.
The newly formed line of Connor, Dubois, and Svechnikov scored a fantastic goal to tie the game at one in the first period. Each player touched the puck on this quick passing transition goal and it was fantastic to watch.
As of now, we know that Wheeler will be out for the next couple of games and there is still no update on how much time Schiefele will miss. In their absence, last night, every line for the Jets stepped up and played well.