The Winnipeg Jets will try to end a five-game losing streak (0-3-2) when they host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
The Jets have gained at least some clarity off the ice after Friday’s trade of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils. Hellebuyck requested a trade during the summer and was suspended after failing to report to training camp.
The Jets received Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, the rights to draft pick Alexander Command, New Jersey’s second-round pick in 2029 and the Devils’ seventh-round pick in 2027 in exchange for the star goalie.
The first game of the post-Hellebuyck era was a high-profile contest, the Heritage Classic outdoor game on Sunday in which Winnipeg hosted the Montreal Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium. The Jets dropped a 2-1 decision.
The loss came despite Winnipeg’s 34-21 shots advantage, including 13-6 in the third period.
“Obviously, third period was our best period. Their goaltender was real good, some big stops,” said Jets coach Scott Arniel. “… The biggest thing for me, we didn’t have enough traffic on (Canadiens goalie Jacob) Fowler. We didn’t make it a little bit more difficult for him to find pucks and this is something that we’ve got to make sure we do a better job at.”
It was an unusual debut for Mercer with his new team, who had two shots in 15:22.
“It was a pretty cool experience. Definitely a weird situation to be thrown into, but honestly a pretty special one that I’ll cherish,” he said. “Obviously, the outcome is not what we wanted, but overall nice to get going with the guys right away, and then build off it from here.”
Florida enters Tuesday’s matchup following a 3-2 victory at Chicago on Sunday that snapped a two-game losing streak.
Coach Paul Maurice got the gritty, desperate game he wanted from his team. The bench boss was obviously not happy about the two losses that came in two days, in which Florida was outscored 9-1.
“I don’t know where on the spectrum of arrogance and softness that I have allowed to creep into our game,” Maurice said after the second setback, a 4-0 loss to the host Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. “I’m going to find that out here in a couple of days. I have to figure out where it’s coming from. I think it’s coming from me. …
“I need to get their attention.”
The Panthers responded with a stronger effort against Chicago, particularly in the opening period.
“The first period was the first period we started to look fast offensively again,” Maurice said after Sunday’s game. “We got on the forecheck and we spent some time. We got more pucks to the net from the slot (Sunday) than we have possibly this year. So still not quite there but a step in the right direction for us.”
Lars Eller broke a 2-2 tie with 2:23 left in the third period. It was his first goal of the season.
“It’s a good feeling to get on the board,” Eller said. “And certainly when it helps your team get two points, that does feel good.”