The Winnipeg Jets needed only one point to clinch the 3rd playoff spot in the Scotiabank North division. Captain Blake Wheeler made sure it happened Tuesday night.
The Winnipeg Jets clinched the 3rd seed in their division with a 4-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Wheeler had a hand in 4 of the 5 Jets goals, with 2 goals and 2 assists.
On a night celebrating Jets Paul Stastny’s 1000th career game, the Jets fittingly scored first. Kyle Connor slid behind the defense on a breakaway and scored past Braden Holtby. The rest of the period was uneventful and passed quickly.
Jets scored again 2 minutes into the second period—Blake Wheeler on a great backhand deke past Holtby. Six minutes later, Wheeler blasted a shot from the blue line, and Mark Scheifele tipped it above Holtby’s shoulder.
The Canucks were held to only one shot for the first 10 minutes of the third period. Wheeler scored again for his 4th point of the game, 2 goals and 2 assists. Wheeler caught a cross-ice pass and backhanded it top side. The Jets captain is scorching, entering the playoffs, with 11 points in the last 8 games. One minute later, Mason Appleton iced the game. Appleton scored on a screen past Holtby a minute after the Wheeler goal.
16 of the 18 Jets players had at least one shot on Holtby, with 36 shots on goal to 24 from Vancouver. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck got his fourth shutout of the season and his 24th career shutout. This was his fourth career shutout against the Canucks, his highest total against any team.
Playoff Outlook
Division-winner Toronto Maple Leafs will face the Montreal Canadiens, and the Edmonton Oilers will host the Jets in round one. The Maple Leafs and Canadiens have not played against one another in the playoffs since 1979. The Jets have a 2-7 record against the Oilers, with both wins coming at in the first 2 months of the season. The only division still awaiting a winner is the West. The Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche are still battling it out, with one and 2 games left, respectively.
Up Next
Maple Leafs @ Jets, Friday, May 14, Bell MTS Place
Canucks @ Calgary Flames, Thursday, May 13, Scotiabank Saddledome
