When the Winnipeg Jets needed it most, a few key players like Pierre-Luc Dubois and Mark Scheifele took charge of the situation to pull them out of the mess.
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After three straight losses, the Manitoba squad bounced back Thursday with a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. She can thank Mark Scheifele, author of a hat-trick, and Pierre-Luc Dubois, who scored from the penalty spot. The Quebecer has scored in the second game in a row and has 39 points, including 17 goals, in 36 games this season.
For Dubois, the ability to adapt at any time during a game is paramount. Overall, the Jets played an unsatisfactory first period, seeing the opposition take the lead in the 41st second of the game. Corrective action had to be taken, and it was achieved.
“Once we started moving our feet on the forecheck, the game was open. It’s still a cliché, but it’s true, he told the Winnipeg Sun newspaper. We collect pucks this way. Otherwise it will be difficult when the other teams push you into your territory and introduce themselves to you. Your defenders are a good distance away and all you can do is clear the puck. And they come back with a fresh and available trio.
Also, the former Columbus Blue Jackets became the eighth player to score a penalty by fooling goaltender Collin Dellia with a wrist shot.
“I was so tired that all I could think about was breathing a little. Then I saw the referee point to the middle of the rink,” said the one who was hooked by Ethan Bear on a breakaway just before the official’s verdict.
Scheifele is having fun
For his part, Scheifele notched seven hat-tricks in his National Hockey League career. If Winnipeg wants to go far in 2022/23, it will have to rely on its veteran, who has threaded the needle 23 times so far.
“His overall 200ft game is good. On a night like this, he looks at me and lets me know he wants to be there. His feelings are there. He stared at me a few times and I told him to get on the ice. When a player feels like that, you have to let them act,” head coach Rick Bowness told the media.
Second in the Central Division with 45 points, the Jets visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.