Preds top Jets in marquee matchup
Hartman’s late goal spoils Stastny’s debut in 6-5 Central Division showdown
WINNIPEG Never mind a simple measuring stick game, this one had the feel of a future playoff series.
As the top two teams in the Central Division met for the first of three times during the final quarter of the NHL season with first place on the line, you had to wonder if this might be one of those times when the game had trouble living up to the hype.
With both the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators unveiling important trade-deadline acquisitions (picked up from a fellow division rival in each case), there was some additional buzz in the building before the puck was even dropped.
Unlike many marquee matchups, this one delivered in a variety of ways.
By scoring on a nifty redirection with one minute left in the third period, Predators newcomer Ryan Hartman scored the gamewinning goal to propel his team to a 6-5 victory Tuesday at Bell MTS Place.
With the loss, the Jets slipped to 37-17-9 on the season and are four points behind the Predators in the chase for top spot in the Central Division with Nashville holding a game in hand.
Predators defenceman Roman Josi played a pivotal role in the contest, chipping in with five assists while logging 24:43 of ice time.
It was a tough night for Jets allstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who allowed six goals — on 32 shotsongoal—forthefirsttime this season as he made his 50th start and 52nd appearance.
The Jets held a pair of two-goal leads (3-1 and 5-3), but were unable to close out the contest, allowing three unanswered markers in the third period.
Following a fast-paced but scoreless opening period, the floodgates opened in the second as the teams erupted for seven goals.
Aside from the goals, there was also nearly an altercation between Jets star centre Mark Scheifele and Predators blue-liner P.K. Subban.
Subban cross-checked Scheifele in the slot and Scheifele dropped his gloves, but Subban didn’t oblige.
The pair exchanged pleasantries in the penalty box and, after exiting the sin bin, Scheifele broke a 1-1 tie by burying a slick pass from Jack Roslovic.
Scheifele scored his second of the game — and 21st of the season — during a Jets power play.
But the Predators answered when Kyle Turris banged home a juicy rebound.
The Jets opted to use a coach’s challenge to argue the play was offside, but replays showed the back skate of Craig Smith was on the ice as Viktor Arvidsson entered the zone.
Because of the failed coach’s challenge, the Jets received a bench minor for delay of game.
With one second left in the penalty, Predators blue-liner Mattias Ekholm fooled Hellebuyck with a long shot.
Before the period was out, Nikolaj Ehlers beat Predators goalie Pekka Rinne to put the Jets back on top, setting the stage for an exciting third period.
Outside of the battle for top spot in the Central Division, it was also the first game for Jets centre Paul Stastny with his new team.
Stastny, acquired from the St. Louis Blues in a surprise move on Monday, started the game on a line with Patrik Laine and Ehlers and also saw time on the Jets’ top power play unit.
Stastny made an immediate impact, chipping in an assist on the power play during the second period before scoring what appeared at the time to be an insurance marker during the third that made it 5-3.
Stastny finished with three shots on goal in 14:23 of ice time while winning 74 per cent of his draws.
Matt Hendricks had the other goal for the Jets.
Defenceman Joe Morrow also made his Jets debut after Toby Enstrom was scratched with a lower-body injury.
Following the morning skate, Stastny met with the local media for the first time since the trade and explained why he agreed to waive his no-trade clause to join the Jets for the stretch run.
“I’m here because I want to win,” said Stastny, who reached Game 6 of the Western Conference final two springs ago before falling to the San Jose Sharks. “I know how hard it is to get there. When you see an opportunity for a chance to go somewhere like that, I think you have to take it.”