Goaltending Is Everything!

The Winnipeg Jets continued their quest in pursuit of a playoff spot and helped themselves by blitzing the hapless, Vegas Golden Knights. I say hapless because Vegas is truly trending downward and may play themselves out of a playoff spot with their spotty play and weak goaltending. The Jets meanwhile scored seven goals and are starting to heat up at the right time. They've won four of their last five games and won two in a row against teams higher in the standings. Are the Jets rounding the corner?

Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks played a rematch against the Boston Bruins with both of those games decided by a single goal with the Bruins winning. Instead of losing the game in the last minute, the Hawks took the Bruins to overtime to at least get a point (not that it matters anymore), but still lost. 

Quick takeaways:

• Goalies are important: It's no secret that in the playoffs you have to be riding a hot goaltender. I can't think of a team that went deep without an outstanding performance from their goalie(s). Approaching the trade deadline I'm positive there will be some goalie movement. As witnessed at the Jets game, the Knights were done in by inadequate netminding. Former Jet, Laurent Brossoit and Logan Thompson were brutal last night (they faced 23 shots between them) and without starter, Robin Lehner this team is in big trouble. In Chicago, though well out of the playoff race, Marc Andre Fleury faced 46 shots and he was outstanding only allowing two goals in regulation and OT. The Hawks were out-shot 46-20 and this was definitely a goalie earned point. Whether Fleury will be dealt to a contender before the deadline is a mystery, but I'm sure GM Kyle Davidson is receiving plenty of calls. The Knight on the other hand must be regretting dumping Fleury in the off-season, ignoring the fact Lehner has not been durable and injury-free for much of his career. The Maple Leafs have suffered inconsistent goaltending all season, but last night, rookie, Erik Kallgren recorded a shutout in his first NHL start...more false hope for the Leafs?
• Gordie Howe Hat-trick: After the Jets, Logan Stanley got into a scrap and assisted on Kyle Connor's goal in the first period, I jokingly said, "If he scores he can get a Gordie Howe hat-trick!", as unlikely as that could be. Low and behold, Stanley turned the trick and scored his FIRST goal of the season mid-way through the second. He was even first star! Lol!
  

Trust me, the puck did go in the net. See that bulge on the top of the net.

• Hot scorers: Kyle Connor notched his 38th goal of the season and has scored in five straight games. He's now fourth in the league in goals and only trails Matthews, Draisaitl and Kreider. The Cat didn't score for the Hawks (he sits at 34), but Brandon Hagel scored his career high 21st goal and has scored in four straight games and a five game point streak.

Up next: With the trade deadline just around the corner, as in next Monday, I'll be watching for possible action (if any) there could be with the Hawks (sellers) and Jets (sellers?/buyers?). Stay tuned!