Game 81 ends in a bittersweet 4-1 defeat at Canada Life Centre against the Edmonton Oilers

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The Winnipeg Jets have been again in motion tonight after a come from behind 5-4 shootout win in Chicago. Sport 81 of the common season was again at dwelling at Canada Life Centre towards the Edmonton Oilers. With 1st place secured in each the Central Division and the Western Convention, the ultimate achievement for the Jets can be successful the Presidents’ Trophy with a win (or a Washington Capitals loss) tonight.

The Oilers lately clinched their spot within the playoffs, however they nonetheless have an opportunity to have dwelling ice benefit of their 1st spherical matchup with some good outcomes. It was Stuart Skinner towards Eric Comrie tonight, as Comrie was on the lookout for one other high quality begin after a shutout towards the Vegas Golden Knights. The Jets have been going for the season sweep towards the Oilers, successful the earlier matchups 6-0 and most lately 4-3. A number of lineup modifications (too many to checklist) have been made by the Jets previous to this recreation, both as a result of harm or just wholesome scratches for relaxation functions. This recreation was evenly matched within the 1st, earlier than the Oilers jumped out as the higher staff on the night time, finally defeating the Jets on this Sunday night time.

#NHLJets:

Connor-Scheifele-IafalloNiederreiter-Namestnikov-PerfettiTanev-Barron-AppletonGustafsson-Toninato-Anderson Dolan

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SCRATCH: Hellebuyck, Lowry, Morrissey, Pionk, SchennOUCH: Ehlers, Vilardi, Kupari pic.twitter.com/Ea7ZeW3GJ8

— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) April 13, 2025

1st Interval

The first interval was pretty evenly matched, and the general really feel of the sport was comparatively energized. Some video games late within the common season don’t really feel the identical when there’s nothing significant on the road, however you would inform that each groups tonight had one thing to play for within the ultimate week.

Jeff Skinner tripped Mark Scheifele virtually halfway into the first, and the Jets acquired the first powerplay of the sport. This powerplay seemed respectable, however Stuart Skinner and the Oilers penalty killers stopped the Jets assault. The remainder of the first interval, whereas fairly entertaining, went and not using a aim or penalty, and the Jets and Oilers went into the first intermission scoreless. Pictures on aim after the first have been 10-7 for the Oilers, and Comrie seemed sharp all through the opening 20 minutes.

2nd Interval

1 minute into the 2nd interval, the Jets high line made a uncommon mistake in their very own zone. Alex Iafallo had the puck picked off from him by Connor McDavid, who rapidly discovered Connor Brown unmarked in entrance, and he backhanded the puck previous Connor Hellebuyck to make it 1-0 Oilers. A couple of minutes later, Vasili Podkolzin was known as for slashing towards Dylan DeMelo, sending the Jets on the powerplay for the 2nd time tonight.

The first powerplay unit went to work, and opened with some good puck motion. 1 minute into the powerplay, Alex Iafallo avenged his giveaway from 5 minutes in the past by scoring his fifteenth of the season. Colin Miller made a pleasant move throughout the Mark Scheifele, who fired one on aim. Iafallo was there to battle and gather the rebound, and he snapped one previous Skinner to tie this recreation up at 1. As we’re approaching the playoffs, I feel it’s time to start out together with the Jets aim replays within the recaps like I did final yr for the playoffs, so right here’s the primary of hopefully many Jets objectives to be reposted.

Proper place, proper time 😃 pic.twitter.com/GogTJC8d5D

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 14, 2025

The Oilers would quickly after get their 1st powerplay of the sport after a questionable hooking name on Mark Scheifele towards Jeff Skinner. Dylan Samberg blocked a slap shot from the purpose and went down, and moments later Adam Henrique gave the Oilers a 2-1 lead. Evan Bouchard and Corey Perry collected the assists with a pleasant passing play, and Samberg headed down the tunnel after the aim to be examined after being in excessive discomfort proper after the aim was scored.

After 40 minutes of play, the Oilers led the Jets 2-1. The Oilers have been rewarded for being the higher staff within the 2nd, and so they outshot the Jets large time, 16-5, as Comrie did properly to make sure the Jets have been solely down by 1 after a number of good possibilities from the Oilers late within the 2nd interval. If the Jets wished to get again on this recreation within the third, they would wish to each decelerate the Oilers offence and get extra probabilities of their very own.

third Interval

The third interval was higher for the Jets, as they seemed to rally again down 1 in entrance of their dwelling followers. The primary half of the third interval noticed no objectives or penalties, as each groups have been taking part in cautious as they knew the subsequent aim can be the vital one.

With 8 minutes left within the recreation, after a fast turnover by the Jets close to centre ice, Derek Ryan discovered Corey Perry open close to the faceoff dot. Perry wristed one up previous Comrie to offer the Oilers a 3-1 lead. Following this aim, the Jets began to play extra urgently now down 2, however they weren’t capable of remedy Stuart Skinner.

The Jets pulled the goalie down 3-1 with round 2 minutes to go. After attempting to get one aim nearer, Viktor Arvidsson put this recreation away for the Oilers with an empty netter with 1:20 to go. The ultimate horn went, and the Jets got here up not victorious, shedding 4-1 to an Oilers staff that’s seeking to regain its kind earlier than the playoffs. Pictures on aim within the third interval have been 11-6 Oilers, and the ultimate pictures on aim have been 39-18 Oilers.

Remaining Ideas

Tonight wasn’t the most effective efficiency from the Jets after the first interval. Eric Comrie stored the Jets on this recreation, making 35 saves in an total very high quality begin in aim. Connor McDavid seemed prepared for the playoffs on this recreation, amassing 2 assists as he approaches one other 100 level season. Regardless of tonight’s loss, the Jets acquired some excellent news from the out of city scoreboard. The Columbus Blue Jackets, keen to remain alive with their slim playoff possibilities, beat the Washington Capitals in DC 4-1. The Capitals loss implies that the Winnipeg Jets have received the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in franchise historical past.

1st place within the NHL common season has been a “curse” within the playoffs because the Chicago Blackhawks received the Stanley Cup after successful it again in 2012-13, however that received’t trigger any concern for this Jets staff. The Jets common season finale goes on Wednesday night time at Canada Life Centre towards the Anaheim Geese. With 1st place secured throughout the board, anticipate some extra lineup modifications to be made of their ultimate recreation earlier than the NHL playoffs start. Tonight was a bittersweet outcome for the Jets, however it would nonetheless be an evening of celebration figuring out that they’ve formally locked up essentially the most factors within the NHL’s common season. Verify again right here earlier than the subsequent recreation for extra Jets information and updates because the playoffs method!

PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS 

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