Given the difficulties, the Winnipeg Jets have had all season on defense, that they have a 20-12-2 record halfway through December is a bit of a mystery. For all its perceived troubles, the team’s playing well. That said, sometimes you run into a buzz saw and for the Jets that buzz saw was the high-flying Carolina Hurricanes and the team’s lacrosse-style scorer Andrei Svechnikov.
As you can see on the tweet above, Svechnikov scored a lacrosse-style goal – his second like this of the season (his first was on Oct. 29 against the Calgary Flames, and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Winnipeg Jets 6-3 Tuesday night. Svechnikov’s goal came from his going around the back of the net, balancing the puck on the blade of his stick, and shoveling it over goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s shoulder.
As Svechnikov noted, he’s been practicing that play for five years. He also noted, ”I feel like when I stop behind the net if I got the room I’m always going to try that. You’ll see, maybe I’m going to score next game.”
That goal put the Hurricanes up by a goal and they went on to win by three.
In this post, I want to help bring Jets’ fans up-to-date with the player news surrounding the team.
Related: Winnipeg Jets Team News: Hellebuyck, Laine, Wheeler, Connor, The Team’s Grind Culture
Item One: Mathieu Perreault and Andrew Copp Are Placed On Injured Reserve
Matthieu Perreault and Andrew Copp were placed on the injured reserve list this past week. Perreault entered a concussion protocol after his injury on Sunday. Copp was placed on the injured reserve after his injury on Tuesday. Head coach Paul Maurice noted that Copp’s injury was not a concussion, but that more tests are underway to determine the severity of the injury and the timetable for his return.
To take their places, the team called up both Mason Appleton and Jansen Harkins.
Item Two: Jansen Harkins and Mason Appleton Were Called Up from the Manitoba Moose
Harkins was brought up from the minors. During his time with the Moose this season, he scored seven goals and 24 assists (31 points) in 30 games. That’s certainly up from last season when he had 15 goals, 16 assists, and 31 points in 70 games.
Mason Appleton has also been called up. Appleton played nine games with the Jets, and this season has scored an assist in four games with the Moose.
Item Three: Mark Scheifele’s on a Point-a-Game Pace
Veteran Jet Mark Scheifele scored a goal in the 6-3 loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday night. He has seven goals and five assists (12 points) during his last seven games. And, to date this season, he’s scored 16 goals, 20 assists, and 36 points in 34 games.
Item Four: Patrik Laine’s Also on a Point-a-Game Pace
Patrik Laine scored his 11th goal of the season in the loss to Carolina. He’s on a modest four-game scoring streak and has scored 32 points in 32 games this season.
Item Five: Blake Wheeler Scores Two Assists Against the Hurricanes
Blake Wheeler had two assists against the Hurricanes. Wheeler has now scored four goals, 12 assists, and 16 points in his last 11 games. He also has five power-play points in his past five games. His season’s totals are 9 goals, 19 assists, for 28 points in 34 games.
Related: Is It Dustin Byfuglien vs. The Winnipeg Jets Now?
Item Five: Connor Hellebuyck Chased from Game
After giving up five goals on 23 shots against the Hurricanes, Connor Hellebuyck was pulled by head coach Paul Maurice and replaced by Laurent Brossoit to start the third period. Hellebuyck’s record is now 16-9-2 with a 2.48 GAA and .926 save percentage in 28 games this season.
What’s Next for the Jets?
The Jets play at home against the Chicago Blackhawks as the beginning of a three-game homestand. The team is looking to get back on the winning track.
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