Predators down Jets in marquee matchup
Hartman’s 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 has trouble living up to the hype.
With both the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators unveiling important trade-deadline acquisitions, there was some additional buzz in the building.
Unlike many marquee matchups, this one delivered.
By scoring on a redirection with one minute left in the third period, Predators newcomer Ryan Hartman scored the game-winning goal to propel his team to a 6-5 win over the Jets 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 division.
Predators defenceman Roman Josi played a pivotal role, chipping in with five assists while logging 24:43 of ice time. Josi made it clear this was not just another February game for the Predators.
“We marked it as probably the most important game up to this point in the season,” he said.
It was a tough night for Jets allstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who allowed six goals) for the first time this season.
The Jets held a pair of two-goal leads (3-1 and 5-3) but were unable to close out the contest.
“It was last shot wins,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “We didn’t sit back in the third. They counter quickly on any small mistake. We turned some pucks over, just off battles, not really soft mental mistakes. We had some strange ones go in. I wouldn’t have traded our offence for theirs in a million years. I liked a lot of what we did.”
Following a fast-paced but scoreless opening period, the floodgates opened in the second as the teams erupted for seven 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 back 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.
“I had it as offside,” Maurice said. “It wasn’t this week.”
Because of the failed coach’s challenge, the Jets received a bench minor for delay of game. It proved costly as, with one second left in the penalty, Predators blue-liner Mattias Ekholm beat Hellebuyck.
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.
It was the first game as a Jet for Paul Stastny, who started the game on a line with Patrik Laine and Ehlers and also spent time on the top power play unit.
Stastny, acquired from the St. Louis Blues on Monday, made an immediate impact, chipping in an assist on the power play before scoring in the third. Stastny finished with three shots on goal.
“It was good to get it out of the way. This afternoon I didn’t sleep a wink. I was just more anxious, nerves and excitement,” Stastny said. “I’ve played in different buildings, loud buildings ... when you’re at home and they’re rooting for you, you realize how loud it is. The opponent we played, the crowd was into it. That’s two good teams going at it, right there.”