The Winnipeg Jets and Seattle Kraken are getting set to square off once again on Friday.
On Tuesday evening, the Seattle Kraken handed the Winnipeg Jets their first loss on home ice since January 27.
It was a back-and-forth affair that saw three lead changes and a third period comeback - this time, it just wasn't by the Jets, which entered the contest having won back-to-back games via third period comeback.
No, the Jets weren't pleased with their collapse, and spoke about it postgame.
"We played some good hockey, but we just kind of let them in the game a little too long," said Mark Scheifele, who collected career point No. 700 on the night. "Obviously, they capitalized when they had the chance to, so obviously, it's a crappy loss."
Captain Adam Lowry, who potted his first goal in 22 games, also tipped his cap to the opponent, while speaking of his team's mini victories on the night.
"We score early in the third and we like our chances," he said. "Credit to them, that’s a gutsy win. They battled back and they were able to get one late. It’s too bad, I felt like for the most part, we had a lot of good looks, some chances that didn’t fall for us. Some minor tweaks to our game and we’ll be ready for them on Friday.”
Set to square off on Friday night in the second half of the extended back-to-back, the Jets and Kraken both have two days off to travel, rest and recover in time to do it all over again - this time at Climate Pledge Arena.
“It doesn’t happen very often," Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol said. "There’s a couple days in between here for us. I don’t think we’re going to make a whole lot more of it than we play a really good team in two days.
"So we’ve got to get home, we’ve got to get some rest, we’ve got a day off tomorrow and then come back and get our mind wrapped around the next game which is against these guys. We’ve got all the respect in the world for them. Obviously, we know what they’ve done all year. Tonight was a hell of a battle and we came out on top. So to beat a team twice in a row you’ve got to go out and do a really good job.”
The Jets will look to prevent any more of a setback than just the one loss, as the two clubs prepare for the 9:00 PM central showdown in Seattle. That game can be viewed live on TSN.