Jets get chance for some payback
Hellebuyck needs to be at his best, Paul Friesen writes
Veteran Vegas Golden Knight Marc-Andre Fleury won the battle of the backstoppers handily in last spring ’s Western Conference final, so it’ll be up to Winnipeg ’s Connor Hellebuyck to begin turning the tables this year.
For those who don’t remember, expansion Vegas knocked off Winnipeg in five games to earn a trip to the Stanley Cup final against the champion Washington Capitals. Fleury made 31 saves in the clincher as the Knights won 2-1.
That was preceded by three straight wins by the Golden Knights — 3-1 in Game 2, 4-2 in Game 3 and 3-2 in Game 4.
Yes, the Jets won the first game 4-2 before being swept aside. Ouch.
So what better way for the Jets goalie to regain his Vezina Trophy candidate form than in the big games in the season’s second half ?
Here are five things to watch for when the Jets (29-14-2, first in the Central Division) host the Golden Knights (28-16-4, third in the Pacific) on Tuesday.
1. Match Knights’ speed, intensity After a mediocre start, Vegas is 8-1-1 in its last 10 games and 19-4-3 in its last 26 games. If some members of the Jets find it a challenge to get up for some games in these dog days of the season, this shouldn’t be one of them. That said, the Jets will need to harness that extra energy.
2. No playoff atmosphere yet The first time they played the Nashville Predators this season, the Jets barged into Music City expecting a playoff-type game and paid the price with penalties. They need to channel their energy into their legs this time, not into high sticks or extracurricular activity.
3. Nip Tuch Vegas forward Alex Tuch has points in nine straight games, including a goal and an assist in Saturday’s overtime win in Chicago. With three goals and eight assists during his streak, Tuch leads the Golden Knights with 37 points and is tied with William Karlsson for the team lead in goals with 15.
4. Eye on Pirri Winger Brandon Pirri, 27, has seven goals in 10 games while on recall from the minors and appears to be in Vegas to stay. He’s been rewarded with a spot on the top line with Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault. A second-round pick by Chicago in 2009, Pirri led the American Hockey League in scoring when he was called up.
5. Keep the foot on the gas If the Jets manage to play the Knights even or grab a lead through two periods, this is not the team to relax against. Vegas’ best period is the third, outscoring the opposition 50-36 this season. Of course, that’s Winnipeg’s best period, too, as evidenced by a 60-45 goal differential.
GIORDANO A RED-HOT STAR
Calgary Flames defenceman Mark Giordano, St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington and Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel were named the NHL’s three stars for last week. Giordano, Calgary’s captain, had three goals and five assists. Binnington went 3-0 with a 0.67 goals-against average, while Guentzel scored five goals.