What an awesomely bizarre game in Winnipeg on Thursday.
NHL Scores: Jets survive a Predators comeback with a thrilling finish
Meanwhile, Joel Quenneville officially made history.
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier that afternoon, a few of our bloggers argued that Jets fans should embrace the tank for a better draft pick. After all, they’re almost 10 points back of a playoff spot in the toughest division in the NHL. It’s probably over. Time to go home.
Apparently the Jets told themselves that after taking a 4-1 lead over the Nashville Predators and watching it wash away and disappear like an Evander Kane tracksuit in the team showers. That set up a thoroughly bizarre final two minutes as the Predators tried in desperation to tie the game.
The Jets had a 4-on-3 power play, and then Ryan Johansen decided to mouth off at a referee.
linesman just gave Johansen a penalty pic.twitter.com/5di2oezVVD
— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 15, 2016
Nashville pulled their goalie to make it a 4-on-3 power play and unleashed volley after volley at the Jets' net. I'm pretty sure Shea Weber stopped trying to aim at some point. By my count (I double-checked), the Predators lobbed approximately 50 gazillion shots at the net in the final two minutes (trust me, look it up) before James Neal finally tied the game with seconds remaining.
And because the game wasn’t ridiculous enough, NONE OF THAT MATTERED.
The overtime winner! pic.twitter.com/hho7aMrszX
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) January 15, 2016
A no-holds barred, adrenaline-filled thrill ride. Thanks, Jets.
Scores
3 things we learned
1. Coach Q can crack a smile
And why shouldn't he? Joel Quenneville coached the Blackhawks to their ninth straight win and his 723rd career victory on Thursday, passing legendary New York Islanders coach Al Arbour for second-most all-time. For a guy known for stern looks and wild gesticulations behind the bench, it was nice to see him with a wry grin and a laugh when asked about chasing down Scotty Bowman.
Joel Quenneville on chasing Scotty Bowman's 1,244 career wins: "Scotty's safe." #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 15, 2016 2. Evgeny Kuznetsov is already a special player
It only took a few short years for the young Russian winger to start showing up on highlight reels as often as the elder Alex Ovechkin. When Kuznetsov decides to take over games, it seems like nobody can stop him. Thursday was one of those nights, as Kuznetsov tallied two goals and this succulent saucer pass assist.
3. St. Louis is reeling in more ways than one
The Rams are breaking up with St. Louis and the Blues apparently didn't get the memo that they're supposed to be the city's rebound. With a demoralizing loss at home to the lottery-bound Hurricanes, St. Louis has lost seven of its last ten games. At least their head coach sounds like he's got solutions!
Favorite comment I heard on radio from the coach was, "What are ya gonna do?" https://t.co/9D6nYhSuTu
— St Louis Game Time (@StLouisGameTime) January 15, 2016
Prediction: He's gone by March.
Impact Moment
Dylan Larkin is a gift to the hockey world.
Stat of the Night
Pekka Rinne is broken.
Pekka Rinne has allowed at least four goals for the 10th time this season. He did so 12 times last year.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) January 15, 2016
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