The Winnipeg Jets picked up a 3-0 road victory over the Seattle Kraken thanks to a third period explosion in an otherwise low-scoring affair.
Where have you heard that before? "The Winnipeg Jets relied on a strong third period to down their opponents."
Well, considering their back-to-back, multi-goal, third period comebacks last week, the Jets are no stranger to scoring late in games.
On Friday night, in the second game of an extended home-and-home with the Seattle Kraken - and the first game of a west coast back-to-back - the Jets scored three in the third, breaking a scoreless draw to pick up their 40th win of the season.
Improving their record to 40-17-5 on the season, the Jets picked up goals from Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry and Nikolaj Ehlers, as they pulled back into a tie for first-place in the Central Division with the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.
After the teams played to a 0-0 draw through 40 minutes, Scheifele opened the scoring at 7:15 of the third. His goal was a patient waiting game, to which he tucked the puck past Joey Daccord on a strong pass from linemate Vlad Namestnikov.
Captain Lowry scored his second goal in as many games - after going 22 without scoring once - off a strong third-line grinding effort. Linemates Nino Niederreiter and Mason Appleton picked up the assists on the play, helping the Jets finish off Seattle.
Ehlers picked up the empty-netter in the final minute, off of assists from Sean Monahan and Alex Iafallo. The goal was his 19th of the season.
Laurent Brossoit collected his fourth career shutout and first of the season, turning aside all 17 shots he faced. Daccord allowed two on the 31 pucks sent his way.
Whether the biggest win of the day was the additions of Tyler Toffoli and Colin Miller from New Jersey on deadline day, or the road victory in Seattle, Jets fans will certainly sleep well knowing their team is headed firmly in the right direction.
But they won't be able to sleep for long, however, as Winnipeg is hitting the road due north to Vancouver, for another test against the No. 1 seed Canucks on Saturday night. That game can be viewed live on Sportsnet and CBC at 9:00 PM central time.