NHL: Winnipeg Jets at Anaheim Ducks - Source: Imagn

3 least impressive Winnipeg Jets players from 3-2 loss to Anaheim Ducks feat. Neal Pionk

Modified Dec 19, 2024 06:17 GMT

On paper, the Winnipeg Jets are superior to the struggling Anaheim Ducks in every fashion. But that's why the games are played on ice rather than paper.

Despite a noted advantage in talent and points, the Ducks defeated the visiting Jets at Honda Center on Wednesday night, winning by a 3-2 final score to improve their record to 12-14-4, while the Jets fell to 23-10-1.

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The Ducks took the early advantage thanks to Frank Vatrano's eighth goal of the season just 4:45 after the opening puck drop. Midway through the first period, Gabriel Vilardi notched his 14 goals and scored on the power play to knot the score at 1-1.

Neither team found the back of the net in the second period, setting up a tense final frame. Jets veteran Mark Scheifele gave Winnipeg the lead 4:13 into the period, only to have Vatrano score his second of the night with 4:46 remaining.

While it appeared that both teams were destined for overtime, Anaheim's Troy Terry scored the winner with 26 seconds left in regulation.

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Jets goaltender Eric Comrie made a rare start to give Connor Hellebuyck a breather and made 28 saves on the night. Meanwhile, Lukas Dostal made 21 saves in the win.

3 least impressive Winnipeg Jets players from 3-2 loss to Anaheim Ducks

#1. Neal Pionk

A miscue in the defensive zone between Neal Pionk and his defensive partner Haydn Fleury set the stage for Terry's winner late in regulation.

Pionk finished the night with a -2 rating, and despite coming in second overall in total ice time for Jets defensemen, he didn't make them count much.

#2. Vladislav Namestnikov

The Russian-born forward has found new life with the Jets and even earned a contract extension during the offseason.

Unfortunately, Wednesday night against the Ducks wasn't one of his better games in a Winnipeg uniform. He failed to generate anything offensively and didn't record a single shot on Dostal, while also finishing with a -2 rating, the worst of any Jets forward in the loss.

#3. Eric Comrie

Making starts for the Jets when your name isn't Connor Hellebuyck is a rarity this season, and Comrie is finding that out firsthand.

Currently in his third tour of duty with the Jets, Comrie was appearing in only his seventh game of the season. And while his play wasn't terrible, he failed to make a critical save when it mattered most, late in the third period on Terry.

It may be a while before Comrie gets his next start, and he'll be hoping for a better result the next time around.

The Winnipeg Jets will look to bounce back when they host the Minnesota Wild next at Canada Life Centre on Saturday.