In Winnipeg, Leon Draisaitl’s hat trick was not enough as the Jets defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 7-5, on Saturday.
The win snapped an ugly five-game losing streak for the Jets.
“Sometimes when you go through these slides, mentally you become a little fragile and you give up a goal and all of the sudden you don’t want to give up the next one and you’re playing a little slower,” Jets forward Adam Lowry said. “We played a lot freer today, and faster. … That’s what we’re looking for, not to wilt under pressure, not to wilt when things get tough, but come together and play the way we’re asked to play.”
Connor Hellebuyck made 30 saves in the Winnipeg win.
The Jets improved to 36-25-2.
Draisaitl scored in the first period to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead.
The Jets replied with goals from Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey to give them a 2-1 lead after the first period.
The Oilers tied it, 23-2, on a goal from Mattias Janmark in the second period.
The Jets outscored the Oilers, 4-3, in the second period to take a 6-4 lead into the third period.
Draisaitl scored twice to get his hat trick including giving the Oilers a 3-2 lead before the Jets opened up the offense.
“We had a bunch of looks,” Draisaitl said. “Their goalie made the right saves at the right time. We had our chances, but you obviously don’t want to chase the sixth or seventh goal. Something to clean up.”
Lowry and Kyle Capobianco scored to give the Jets a 4-3 advantage, before Draisaitl finished his hat trick and a 4-4 tie.
“We are in the race to make the playoffs here. We would rather take a 1-0 win,” Draisaitl said. “They played a good game, but we obviously gave them way too many chances for looks on scoring chances. They are obviously a good offensive team, so they will capitalize.”
Morgan Barron and Morrissey then replied for the Jets for the 6-4 lead headed to the third period.
The Oilers dropped to 34-22-8.
Nick Bjugstad hit for a goal for the Oilers in the third period to trim the Jets lead to one, 6-5, but Dylan DeMelo hit an empty net with 35 seconds left in the game for the 7-5 final.
“I almost missed it, but it was the easiest goal I scored all year,” Bjugstad said. “I was fortunate, I’ll take it, but like I said, I would have loved to come up with the win. First game here and now have to move on and work towards getting better and better.”
Jack Campbell made 31 saves in the Oilers loss.
“There were a few goals I’d really like to have back,” Campbell said. “You know, a guy beat me high glove and the Morrissey one found a way to beat me from the point, and then definitely five-hole on the breakaway. You know, keep working on it. I know the results will come, but just a tough pill to swallow here.”
It really ought to be more than a few.
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