The Winnipeg Jets didn’t wait long to twist the knife after their 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Once the final horn sounded, the Jets’ social media team posted, “Expected Win Probability 100%.”
It was a pointed little jab, and it landed because of the chatter surrounding why the Devils didn’t start Connor Hellebuyck in goal. New Jersey’s GM had said the decision came down to the idea that playing Hellebuyck would hurt their expected win probability.
That set the stage for a night the Jets clearly enjoyed, and they made sure the message was impossible to miss after beating the Devils without Hellebuyck in net.
Fans piled on quickly, with plenty of praise for Winnipeg’s social media team. “Nicely done from Winnipeg’s social media.
Even if you’re a Devils fan, you have to laugh,” wrote one fan. Another added, “This is 10/10, no notes.
Great game,” wrote another.
One more reaction captured the mood from the outside: “On behalf of Sports fans everywhere, thank you, Winnipeg Jets! The Sports gods reigned supreme this evening.
If you’re going to force your way off of a team, you gotta show up and play. This is the spirit of sport and competition.
Play and try to win. He didn’t.
They lost.”
The whole thing has only added more heat around Sunny Mehta and Hellebuyck, who are being hit by the court of public opinion over what many call him ducking his old team.
And if New Jersey heads to Washington and drops one or both games there, the optics get even uglier. The Devils’ reasoning was that resting Hellebuyck gave them the best chance to bank points against teams they needed to beat, with the Jets not part of that group. But if they lose two of three - or, worse, three straight - that logic is going to look a lot shakier.
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There has also been strong work in net from Domenic DiVincentiis and Thomas Milic, giving Manitoba a chance to turn tight games into points while the organization keeps sorting out who is ready for more. The finale will be available on 680 CJOB and AHLTV, and for a Jets system that is always watching the next layer of talent, this trip has already offered plenty to track beyond the final score. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Fans Have A Bigger Concern Than The Moose Losing Streak
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For Jets fans, the bigger worry is the health of Colby Barlow, who was hurt in the game and is listed as day-to-day. The Moose will keep moving with a stop against the Rockford IceHogs in Rosemont, Illinois, but any setback involving a top Winnipeg prospect is the kind of development that can matter well beyond the AHL standings. [Read more 🡒]
Former Devils Helped Fuel A Jets Win Fans Will Love
The Jets kept rolling at Canada Life Centre with a 4-2 win over the Devils, pushing their winning streak to four straight and giving the home crowd a result with a little extra edge. It was a night shaped by familiar faces in unfamiliar sweaters, with former New Jersey players Nico Daws and Dawson Mercer both making an impact in a game that had a little more meaning than the standings alone.
Daws turned aside 19 shots to earn his first victory as a Jet, while Mercer made the biggest offensive splash of the night with two goals against his old club. Josh Morrissey also rejoined the lineup after his injury absence, adding another important piece back into Winnipegs mix as the team continues to settle in and stack wins. [Read more 🡒]