Winnipeg Jets clinch their spot in the playoffs with a 3-2 OT win over the Washington Capitals

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Try quantity two on the Jets clinching a spot within the NHL playoffs (on their very own) was tonight at Canada Life Centre in opposition to the Washington Capitals. It was a conflict between the highest two groups within the NHL league standings, with the Capitals main the Jets by 2 factors with 1 recreation in hand. The Jets had been trying to rebound from a tricky 5-3 loss in opposition to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday afternoon. Going into tonight’s recreation, the Jets knew that every one they wanted was 1 level to safe their place on this yr’s post-season.

When it comes to the lineup, the Jets needed to make some changes with the information that Gabriel Vilardi shall be out week-to-week with an upper-body harm. Alex Iafallo moved as much as line 1 with Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton moved as much as line 2 with Nikolaj Ehlers, and Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti moved all the way down to line 3. Tonight’s recreation may have gone both means, however on the finish it was the house group who got here up on prime with the large 2 factors. Right here’s a recap of tonight’s NHL motion at Canada Life Centre.

1st Interval

The thrill in Canada Life Centre appeared further noticeable tonight, even from simply watching on TV. There was a great tempo to this recreation within the first 5 minutes, however when it comes to photographs on purpose it was solely 1-0 for the Jets. After just a few extra probabilities, the Jets opened the scoring virtually 7 minutes into this recreation. Dylan DeMelo despatched Mark Scheifele the puck at centre ice, who entered the zone and dropped one again to Josh Morrissey, who slapped one on internet. A screened Logan Thompson couldn’t see the puck, and it appeared like Alex Iafallo acquired a deflection, however the purpose was credited to Morrissey.

Quick ahead to three minutes left within the 1st, when Colin Miller drilled Andrew Mangiapane into the boards. Miller acquired a 2 minute minor for boarding, whereas Mangiapane responded to the hit with a cross-check on Miller which was seen and referred to as. Neither group would rating on the 4 on 4, however recent out of the penalty field, Mangiapane did a give and go along with the newly prolonged Jacob Chychrun, and Mangipane wristed one previous Connor Hellebuyck to tie this recreation at 1. Pictures on purpose after the first had been 8-6 for the Jets.

2nd Interval

The depth picked up within the 2nd, and it was Hellebuyck’s greatest interval of this recreation, with the photographs being 12-7 in favour of the Capitals. The Capitals acquired 2 powerplays this era because of a visit by Cole Perfetti adopted a couple of minutes later by an unsportsmanlike conduct name on Luke Schenn. Similar to the sport in opposition to the Sabres, the Jets penalty kill was enjoying nice, shutting down the Capitals each instances.

The Jets acquired a late powerplay within the 2nd after Martin Fehervary was referred to as for holding in opposition to Kyle Connor. This man benefit was simply alright, however shortly after the powerplay expired, the Jets would take the lead. Cole Perfetti carried the puck into the zone and despatched it over to Nino Niederreiter. After a glance throughout the ice, Niedrreiter discovered Mason Appleton on the prime of the faceoff dot, and he sniped one previous Thompson. The Jets took a 2-1 lead with simply 12 seconds left within the 2nd due to Appleton’s ninth of the season.

third Interval

The third interval had an actual playoff really feel to it, and the Capitals would lead in photographs 11-9. The lone powerplay would go to the Jets after Taylor Raddysh interfered with Nino Niederreiter across the 6 minute mark. The Jets had been pushing for that 3-1 purpose, however the Capitals saved it a one purpose recreation, and each groups completed 0 for two on the powerplay tonight.

Quick ahead to 4 minutes left within the recreation, when Alex Ovechkin scored his 889th purpose of his historic profession. Trevor Van Riemsdyk arrange Alexei Protas, who discovered Ovechkin in his favorite taking pictures place, and he snapped one previous Hellebuyck to tie this recreation at 2. Each groups had been pretty evenly matched by way of 3 intervals, and the photographs completed 28-25. This recreation would wish additional time, and the one level could be sufficient for the Jets to clinch their spot of this season’s playoffs.

Additional time

Nikolaj Ehlers would ship Jets followers house proud of an additional time winner on the one shot of the additional body. Adam Lowry dropped one again to Dylan Samberg, who fired one off the boards all the way down to Ehlers. Utilizing his pace, Ehlers went down the ice and wristed one up previous Thompson to provide the Jets the 3-2 additional time win 88 seconds in.

Ultimate Ideas

Tonight was a terrific rematch of the February 1st recreation the place the Jets additionally gained in additional time in opposition to the Capitals. This recreation actually felt like a battle between the most effective within the East and the most effective within the West, and now the Jets have pulled inside 1 level of the Capitals, who will nonetheless have 1 recreation in hand. The Jets 2.0 have made historical past by it being the first time that they’ve been the first group within the Western Convention to clinch a playoff spot. Now {that a} playoff spot is secured, the following purpose shall be to clinch 1st within the Central Division, with the Dallas Stars now solely 8 factors behind the Jets with 2 video games in hand.

The 4 recreation house stand continues for the Jets on Friday night time in opposition to the New Jersey Devils. The Jets shall be battling a group that’s desperately attempting to regain its kind so as to not lose its playoff place. Puck drop is simply after 7 pm CT at Canada Life Centre, and ensure to test again right here for pre and submit recreation articles.

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