Saturday’s match between the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets in Winnipeg was a microcosm of the Jets’ season.
A slow start and torrid finish.
Trailing 1-0 midway through the final frame, the Jets struck twice including with 45 seconds left in regulation to give the home squad a 2-1 win.
The loss pushed the Preds into the second wild card spot and a date with the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs.
“I’m not happy with the last 10 minutes,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. “The first 50 minutes I was really happy. We were skating well, we were in control of the game. I thought we played a real strong game.”
Kyle Connor tied the game 1-1 midway through the third and Blake Wheeler won for it for Winnipeg with 45 seconds left in the game.
“I was kind of flat-footed and I knew [Mark] Scheifele was coming with some speed so I just left the puck for him and we were off to the races,” Wheeler said. “We were kind of knocking on the door all game, and what a play he made to send me in. That one felt good.”
Ryan Ellis scored the only Preds goal.
Connor Hellebuyck made 33 saves to get the win as the Jets finished the season 40-35-7.
WATCH: All Predators vs. Jets higlights
Pekka Rinne made 34 saves in taking the loss.
“It’s a great challenge for us,” Rinne said. “It’s a world-class team (Chicago) and we obviously look forward to playing against them, but we’ve got to prepare well for next week.”
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