Jets vs. Wild Game 1: Full highlights, final score and more

In what turned into an unexpectedly tight game, the Winnipeg Jets were able to pull away from the Minnesota Wild to take Game 1. Dig in below for full highlights and more.

The Winnipeg Jets were able to take care of business at home against the Minnesota Wild. It wasn’t easy, though. While the Jets took a 1-0 lead on a power play goal in the second by Mark Scheifele, Minnesota was up to the task in terms of making this a real game.

They stormed the gates early in the third to tie it 1-1 on a quick zipper off the stick of Matt Cullen. Credit Jordan Greenway with a beauty of an assist as well. The Wild would actually take the lead roughly two minutes later when Zach Parise was able to slip one past Connor Hellebuyck following a Minnesota 2-on-1.

Jets fans, both in arena and at home watching, had to be chewing on their collar after that one. To lose a game you’ve been touted to win by virtually every pundit alive would be soul-punching.

Then again, teenage phenom Patrik Laine still plays for the Jets so that fear lasted all of 53 seconds. He tied it up at 2 on a beautiful snap shot that’s becoming a patented snipe for him. Why teams continue to leave him so open in the slot is simply befuddling.

It appeared we may be headed to our first overtime of the new playoff campaign, but alas, defenseman Joe Morrow said nuh-uh. He would give WInnipeg the lead for good with just over seven minutes remaining.

It was a truly inspiring effort from Minnesota. Especially goaltender Devan Dubnyk who made 37 saves and was brilliant all night. We shouldn’t be surprised. They are an NHL club. But as everyone has noted, not having Ryan Suter for these playoffs is going to cause problems. It showed in them giving up so many chances and shots on goal.

Meanwhile, Hellebuyck really wasn’t tested much at all. He faced 20 shots and was pretty much a witness the rest of the third period after the Jets tied it up. Minnesota will need to bolt things down defensively and find their scoring depth if they want any chance at knotting the series on Friday.

Three Stars

1. Patrik Laine: We’re giving this one to Laine for not only tying the game, but for being a teenager in the NHL playoffs and still going full assassin in his first-ever game. He’s 19. What were we doing at 19? Not this, that’s for sure.

2. Joe Morrow: Morrow scored the game winner on an incredibly subtle deflection by another Wild player, but he still needs this spot. You have to make top three when you win it for your club. Plus, when you bounce around like he has (Boston to Montreal to Winnipeg), it has to feel awesome to pot a deciding tally in the playoffs. Look for him to score 8,400 goals now and go on to win the Conn Smythe.

3. Devan Dubnyk: Dubnyk was a factor all game long for the Wild. He kept them in it shot after shot after shot. The performance he put on, though in a losing effort, is going to have to be a theme if Minnesota wants to slay the Jets. That may not be fair to Dubnyk, but losing your best defenseman means he’ll need to be standing on his head quite often. He was up to the task tonight in a marvelous effort. Finally, we just hope his offense can give him more help.

Highlights

Game 2:

Friday, April 13, 7:30 EST, @ Winnipeg

TV: USA

Next: Which NHL mascot would you want with you in a bar fight?

For more from the NHL playoffs, make sure to follow FanSided and stay tuned to our NHL hub for all the latest news and results.