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The Winnipeg Jets extended their losing streak to three games on Tuesday night, falling 2-1 to the St. Louis Blues on the road. The result adds to a difficult stretch for the Jets, who are already dealing with the absence of their top defenceman and ongoing uncertainty surrounding star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Blues Strike First in the Opening Period
Winnipeg controlled much of the early play and generated plenty of shots. However, St. Louis opened the scoring with 7:30 remaining in the first period. Philip Broberg collected the puck at the left point and fed Dylan Holloway across the ice. Holloway moved the puck to the middle, where Jimmy Snuggerud used his skate to redirect it into an open net.
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Jets goaltender Stuart Skinner hoped officials would wave off the goal. However, referees determined Snuggerud did not use a distinct kicking motion, and the goal stood. Winnipeg outshot St. Louis 14-13 in the first period, though the Blues dominated the final 10:39 of the frame, outshooting the Jets 12-6 during that stretch.
A Tight Middle Period
The score remained 1-0 through the entire second period. St. Louis failed to convert on two full power plays and lost a third opportunity after taking a penalty just 23 seconds in. Meanwhile, Winnipeg earned their first power play with 1:31 left in the period. Cole Perfetti generated a strong look from in front of the net, but his backhand attempt clipped the helmet of Blues goaltender Joel Hofer and sailed over the goal. Despite recording just one shot in the first 13 minutes of the period, the Jets outshot St. Louis 9-7 overall in the frame.
Jets Tie It, Then Fall Short
Winnipeg carried 29 seconds of power play time into the third period. Shortly after Snuggerud left the penalty box, the Jets drew level. Gabriel Vilardi retrieved a puck at the left point after the Blues failed to clear the zone. He slid it through the slot to Perfetti, who calmly waited and then pushed it through Hofer’s five-hole for his sixth goal of the season.
The lead did not last long, however. Dylan Samberg drew a tripping penalty at the 8:25 mark, giving St. Louis their fifth power play of the night. This time, the Blues made it count. Broberg and Robert Thomas exchanged passes until a seam opened up. Thomas then fed Broberg, who blasted a shot past Skinner at the 8:47 mark to restore the St. Louis lead.
Winnipeg had a power play chance with just over six minutes remaining but failed to register a single shot on goal. The Jets also pulled Skinner late and created several opportunities, yet could not find the equalizer. Hofer finished with 32 saves on 33 shots to earn the win. Skinner stopped 26 of 28 shots in the loss.
The Jets now look to snap their three-game skid when they travel to Dallas on Thursday night.
