The Winnipeg Jets had a steller, shutout night over the division leading Florida Panthers, snatching up two desperately needed points. They leapfrogged the Capitals, who had the night off, to grab the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference (for now). The final tally was an impressive statement against the Panthers as they fell to the Jets, 7-0. You can see the highlights here.The Jets scored those seven goals on 31 shots against two different Florida tenders. Jim Slater, Kyle Wellwood, Nik Antropov, Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little each lit the lamp once with Evander Kane finding the back of the net twice. His second goal of the night came twelve seconds after Antropov's powerplay notch against Washington goalie Scott Clemmenson who replaced the depleated Jose Theodore following the Jets fourth goal.
As fantastic as the Jets offense was, the work of goaltender Andrej Pavelec for the Jets was brilliant. He turned away all 33 shots Florida threw at him. Alexander Burmistrov and Wellwood were at plus 3 on the night with Kane earning a plus 4 along with D-men Mark Stuart and Randy Jones. Kane took first star of the night over Pavelec who had the second star. Frankly, as impressive as Kane was, I still think Pavelec deserved the first star for his fourth shutout of the season.
The Jets were actually outshot in the game, despite tallying 17 shots alone in the second period. And none of those shots went in for goals. Two goals were in the first with the remaining 5 coming in the final period. It was a true team effort. Of the 18 skaters, only 5 did not have either a goal or an assist. And of them, only RW Antti Miettinen was never on the ice when the Jets scored. So, sorry Antti. Maybe you'll get to be a part of the group hug next time.
Mark Stuart had some discipline problems as he found himself with a misconduct penalty for roughing halfway through the third period. The Jets managed to kill all three Florida powerplays while only capitalizing on one of their own odd-man advantages.
While the Jets temporarily move into the 8th spot in the conference, do not break out the celebratory spirits yet. The season is far from over. And the Jets have one huge disadvantage. They are just one point above Washington right now. But the Jets have played three more games than the Caps. The Capitals will play two games before the next Winnipeg match. Washington is hosting New Jersey Friday and then Philadelphia on Sunday before the Jets take on the Sabres on Monday night in Winnipeg. Division leading Florida also has played three fewer games than Winnipeg and they two will host a pair of games before Monday as they welcome Nashville on Saturday and Ottawa on Sunday.
But you know what? The Jets still won in a great victory of the Florida Panthers. Celebration is in order:
