The Winnipeg Jets found themselves behind eight balls and could not recover from Tuesday night’s 7-5 loss at Detroit that snapped their five-game winning streak.
The Jets fell behind early to start the three-game road trip as the Red Wings scored three goals on their first eight shots to take a commanding lead.
Three separate times the Jets pulled within the same tally and they were one goal post away from tying the game late in the final frame before the Wings sealed the deal with an empty-netter.
“I think the story tonight is more on us starting and climbing back,” said forward Sam Gagner. “We did a really good job of climbing back, but don’t put ourselves in that position.
He said, “Leading him is something we got to learn from. We’ve talked a lot here from the beginning about getting better, so that’s an area for growth.
It is the first time the Jets have surrendered seven goals this season after giving up six on two prior occasions.
Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt said, “We were giving up a lot of chances against it.” “And not just chances that there are too many shots. We were giving up too many grade-A, grade-B chances, and I think it’s a little uncharacteristic of us right now.
“It just comes down to us as people realizing, this is not the brand we can win with.”
Moritz Ceder had four assists for Detroit.
Despite the terrible start, when the final buzzer hit the Jets actually outscored Detroit 37–23. It was a rare off night for Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck who allowed six goals on just 22 shots. But it would not be fair to estimate the damage only on Hellbuk.
“We gave up some chances early on that we never give up,” said Jets head coach Rick Bowness. “And we did tonight. It was their night. The puck was going in the net for them, so we had enough chances to win the hockey game.”
Nikolaj Ehlers, Mark Scheifele and Neil Pionek all had a goal and an assist in the loss, while Cole Perfetti finished with a pair of assists.
Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kyle Connor each recorded an assist and extended their points streak to seven games.
Read more: Analysis: Jets’ winning streak is reminder of what it takes to be great on a team
The home side wasted little time getting on the board when Jake Wallman went around Dylan DeMelo in the slot and parried Hellebuyck’s first shot with only 1:16 remaining.
Detroit continued their strong start at the 7:21 mark when Jonathan Berggren captured Hellebuyck’s seventh of the season. Former Jet Andrew Cope picked up his second assist of the game on the goal.
The Wings made it 3–0 with 15:27 left when Oscar Sundqvist got on the board, and it looked like the losing streak was on.
But Winnipeg raised its level to end the period, and after an extended inning on the Detroit end, a Pionek point shot found its way through Ville Husso to get the Jets on the board at intermission.
The momentum didn’t last long as Dominik Kublik restored the three-goal cushion on an odd-man rush just 2:57 into the second.
But the Jets pushed back again. Former red wing Sam Gagner scored his eighth of the season at the 9:46 mark, and just two minutes later, a stingy Schmidt buried his fourth of the year to cut the deficit to one.
The comeback attempt hit a serious speedbump, however, when Detroit was stretched 5-on-3.
After hitting a good portion of the man advantage, Adam Lowry had a chance to clear the puck on his stick, but he fumbled, and seconds later, Dylan Larkin scored his 14th tally of the season for a 5–3 Detroit lead. Took. after two periods.
Fluctuating affairs continued in the third when Nikolaj Ehlers beat Hasso 2-on-1 at the fifth hole just 33 seconds into the frame to make it a one-round game again.
Less than a minute later the Jets had a great chance to tie it up at 3-on-1 but a Blake Wheeler pass was broken up, which proved to be huge as just moments later, Robbie Fabbri scored a season-high 15–10. K is tipped to restore his second home. Two goals lead.
Winnipeg spent most of the rest of the period in the Detroit end, pushing to get back in the game and with just over five minutes left, Dubois hit the post and Schaeffel banged home the rebound to make it 6–5.
Pionek had a great chance to tie the game from the slot in the closing minutes but his shot went wide of the iron.
That was as close as the Jets would get as Lucas Raymond sealed it with an empty netter with 80 seconds left.
The Jets outscored the Wings 30–15 in the final 40 minutes, but it was not enough to overcome an early 3–0 deficit.
Hsu was solid in separating 32 shots for the win.
Read more: Dubois scored twice, Connor nets winner as Jets downed Bolts 4–2
The Jets will look to start a new winning streak on Thursday when the Buffalo Sabers visit. Pregame coverage on 680 CJOB begins at 4 p.m. puck drop after 6 p.m.
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