Panthers Pick Their Spots and Pull Away From the Jets
Florida didn't win the shooting contest in Winnipeg. It won the argument over where those shots came from, and that was enough for a 5-1 road win. The Jets put 25 shots on net to Florida's 24, but the Panthers' looks were simply better.
By expected goals (how many goals a team's chances were worth), Florida checked in at 3.96 to Winnipeg's 2.81. The Panthers also cashed 3 of 5 power plays while Winnipeg went empty on 2.
Matthew Tkachuk set up 4 goals on a line with Brady Tkachuk (a goal and 2 assists) and Sam Bennett. Carter Verhaeghe scored twice. Anton Lundell led all skaters with 4 shots, came away with nothing and hit a post.
In the Winnipeg net, Clay Stevenson stopped 19 of 24. That was a bit worse than the shots he faced deserved, so he didn't bail the Jets out. Gabriel Vilardi also rang one off the post. Only Adam Lowry found the net for Winnipeg, and that keeps the Jets' scoring headaches going at 4-4-3.
