It's a truth universally acknowledged that one of the Vancouver Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets would have to break out of their losing streaks when they faced the other on Wednesday. It had to happen, the laws of the universe would not allow one of these teams to leave MTS Centre without a win on the scoresheet. Both teams needed it badly, but the Jets prevailed 4-1 thanks to pairs of goals from Mark Scheifele and Drew Stafford.
NHL scores 2015: Second line steps up as Winnipeg breaks 6-game losing streak
Only one could snap their losing streak.
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Twenty penalty minutes were assessed in the first 20 minutes of the game, a clear indicator of how frustrated both of these teams were with their past performances. The Jets break a six-game losing streak with the win, coming off a devastating four-game road trip against the heart of the Central Division. The Canucks, on the other hand, finish a four-game road trip with their fourth loss in a row, capping off the week with their worst loss of the bunch.
The intensity was immediate, thanks to this Luca Sbisa hit on Nikolaj Ehlers moments into the game. While Sbisa hits Ehlers with the elbow, the blow doesn't look deliberate. The Jets, however, didn't see it that way, immediately going after Sbisa after his penalty expired.
Sbisa minor penalty for illegal check to the head of Ehlers pic.twitter.com/JzdkxiPhOr
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 19, 2015 Sixteen more penalty minutes were called in the game, though dispersed through a calmer second and third periods. Mark Scheifele's two goals were the first and third of the game, helping the Jets breakaway from the Canucks with his final goal coming with less than three minutes left. The backhand spin-o-rama from Mathieu Perreault set up Scheifele's rebound goal that effectively finished any chance of a Vancouver comeback.
Scheifele puts the Jets up 3-1 (and now they're up 4-1 with an empty net goal) pic.twitter.com/e2fx5P21ds
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 19, 2015 Perreault had three assists on the night, while Drew Stafford broke an 11-game point-less streak with his tie breaking goal in the second period. It was a breakout night for the Perreault-Scheifele-Stafford line, as they had a combined nine points between them.
With the second line clicking, Winnipeg will spend the next two games at home, where they can put their long, unsuccessful road trip behind them.
Scores
Winnipeg Jets 4, Vancouver Canucks 1
Washington Capitals 2, Detroit Red Wings 1 (OT)
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 (OT)
3 things we learned
1. Alex Ovechkin denied by Detroit, again
A week after peppering Petr Mrazek with 15 shots in an attempt to break the all-time Russian goal scoring record, Ovechkin was denied again in a 2-1 Capitals win over the Red Wings. While Ovechkin had five shots in the first period and was buzzing all around the Red Wings zone, Detroit's defense clamped down and the Capitals captain only got one registered shot to the net in the remaining 40 minutes.
2. Patrick Kane's point streak continues
That marks 14 straight games with a point for Patrick Kane, tying a career high.
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) November 19, 2015 Kane had the assist on Duncan Keith's first period goal to keep his streak alive and well.
3. Dylan Larkin passed Connor McDavid in goals
While this may be a bit unfair to the injured McDavid, Larkin now has six goals on the year thanks to his first period tally against the Caps. Larkin can make a legitimate run for the Calder Trophy if he keeps up his pace of two goals and an assist over his last five games.
Impact Moment
Braden Holtby had two ridiculous stops within moments of each other at the end of the second period. Caps can clearly thank him for getting them into overtime.
another Holtby save pic.twitter.com/BdZ6ZnIWv7
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 19, 2015 Holtby save on Pulkkinen pic.twitter.com/s174JL0LOK
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 19, 2015 Stat of the Night
Twenty-six minutes in, the #Blackhawks have four shots on goal. Four.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 19, 2015 The Blackhawks did eventually end up with 27 shots, but spending almost half the game with less than five shots is quite crazy for a team of Chicago's caliber.
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