The goal was Tavares’ first in 11 games, ending a nine-game career point drought.
“You just keep doing it and you know it’s coming,” Tavares said. “So it was no surprise that we were able to score at a crucial point in the game and take the lead.Certainly, given the up-and-down of the power play up to this point, the whole group was able to score two big shots in the third. Obviously it feels good considering how he reacted when he made the shot.”
At 18:22 following Matthews’ goal, Simon Benoit slotted into an empty net for his first goal of the season and extended the lead to 4-1.
Coach Tavares said: [Winnipeg has] It showed why they are the best defensive team in the league and the success they have had so far and how difficult it is to create offense and get space in front of the net and in the middle of the ice. And how patient and how dedicated do you have to be to keep doing it without getting pushed away, or getting frustrated, or letting things snowball and doing too much? You just have to earn the ice and try to earn that opportunity by taking your time and being patient with your game. ”
Appleton jammed a loose puck with 12 seconds left in a 4-2 final.
” [NHL All-Star] The break comes at a good time,” Bowness said. “These guys are beat up and need some rest. We need to get Mark (Scheifele) back, there’s no question about that.”
Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon left the game at 6:36 of the first period with an upper-body injury.
“He had his problems and he just couldn’t get over it,” Bowness said of Dillon. “He just tweaked his body and his back and it didn’t turn around. So I don’t think he took any hits or anything. He should be fine.”
Note: Matthews has scored in each of his last three games and has 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in a six-game scoring streak. Matthews (46 games) required the fewest games in franchise history to reach 40 goals in a season, making him the fastest NHL player to reach the mark since Jaromir Jagr in 1996-97. … Winnipeg has scored three goals in its past three games. … Samberg’s goal was his first in 77 games since January 12, 2023 against the Buffalo Sabres. …It was each team’s last game before the All-Star break.
