, so clearly that you're always worried because he's come off a concussion. Played well, tracked pucks well.'' DeBrusk was left open on his winner after Jets defenseman Anthony Bitetto and forward Andrew Copp literally got tangled up and fell.''I've never seen that, a skate loop,'' Jets coach Paul Maurice said. ''It's Andrew's skate lace that catches the back of the guard on Bitetto's skate and pulls him down as they lock skates.''I've never seen that. That's what's going on right now. Tough one.'' ''I had no idea what (his skate lace) caught on, then I looked down and saw it was that,'' Copp said. ''Less than one-in-a-million play.'' Patrik Laine scored for the Jets, who failed to capitalize on five power plays in the second period. Winnipeg has lost seven of its last eight. Laurent Brossoit stopped 23 shots.The defeat extended Winnipeg's longest losing streak of the season. The Jets are 1-7-1 in their last nine homes games.The game was tied 1-1 after the first and second periods.Winnipeg opened the scoring when Nikolaj Ehlers sped around the back of the net and fed the puck across the front to Laine, who scored his 18th of the season past Rask at 6:06.Bergeron scored his 22nd with three seconds remaining in a two-man advantage at 19:07.The Jets' first of five power plays in the second period began early.The first advantage started at 2:11 when Boston defenseman Matt Grzelcyk was called for hooking Blake Wheeler.That became a two-man advantage after Ehlers and Brad Marchand collided and started fighting. Marchand got an extra roughing penalty for the clash at 3:28.The two-man edge continued when Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo got called for delay of game at 4:17. Charlie Coyle was then sent to the box for tripping at 7:07.By the time those penalties expired, Winnipeg had nine shots on goal and Boston none.The Bruins got their first shot on Brossoit a few seconds later, but then Carlo was whistled for instigating at 10:10.The period ended with Boston's Torey Krug called for holding as time expired.Winnipeg outshot the Bruins 11-4 in the middle frame.Laine hit the crossbar during the early power play in the third, and Boston went on the power play when Sami Niku was sent off for slashing at 2:35.DeBrusk scored his goal 32 seconds later, after Pastrnak went around the back of the net and sent a pass just outside the crease at 3:07.Rask stopped a blast by Ehlers in the final minute.''I think then first period my rebound control wasn't where it could have been, but after that I kind of found the pucks and hung onto them,'' Rask said. ''I wasn't worried.'' NOTES: Winnipeg finished 0 for 6 and Boston was 2 for 4 on the power play.UP NEXTBruins: At Minnesota on Saturday.Jets: Host St. Louis on Saturday.---More NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/NHL)
David Pastrnak's most recent hat trick won't count toward his league-best 37 goals this season, however it did go a long way in helping him being named the NHL All-Star Game MVP.With Pastrnak fresh off winning a new car, the Boston Bruins aim to continue their drive in the standings on Friday when they return from the break to visit the Winnipeg Jets."Well, he's our MVP a lot of nights too, so I'm used to seeing him go to work," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said after Pastrnak collected four goals and two assists in the All-Star Game tournament."I'm happy for him. Good for him. I'm sure he had a great time here. Got to play with some good players, score a few goals. Too bad we came up a little short, but I'm sure he'd tell you he had a real good time." Pastrnak has been having a good time throughout the season, including recording three hat tricks that actually count toward his official statistics. His last official three-goal performance, in fact, came in Boston's 5-4 home victory over Winnipeg on Jan. 9.The 23-year-old Pastrnak would add five more points (two goals, three assists) over his next six games as the Bruins skated into the All-Star break and their bye week by collecting at least a point in 11 of their last 14 contests (8-3-3)."It was a fun [weekend]," Pastrnak said of the All-Star break. "But excited to get back with our boys. Got a couple days to rest up and get ready for the second half of the season." And that starts with the opener of a back-to-back versus the Jets, against whom Pastrnak has shredded for 10 points (eight goals, two assists) in eight career meetings.Linemate Brad Marchand has done well against Winnipeg in his own right. The pesky 31-year-old boosted his point total to 18 (seven goals, 11 assists) in 22 career encounters earlier this month by notching one of his club-best 44 assists this season.Boston's Tuukka Rask is expected to return following a three-game absence due to a concussion. Cassidy said the former Vezina Trophy recipient was "looking great" in practice and should play on Friday barring any setbacks, or on Saturday at the Minnesota Wild.Rask was injured after being elbowed in the head by Emil Bemstrom early in the first period of a 3-0 setback to Columbus on Jan. 14.The Jets hope to reverse course after being outscored 20-7 en route to losing a season-high four in a row heading into their break.Connor Hellebuyck yielded 13 of those goals on 73 shots over the last three games to mar what has been otherwise a strong season, with his performance earning him the midseason Vezina honors by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The 26-year-old was rewarded for his efforts by being named to the NHL All-Star Game, an experience he clearly enjoyed."It was fantastic, I think my whole family enjoyed it. Just being here and getting some family time," Hellebuyck said. "You know getting to see each other during a grueling season like it is, it's nice. It's a good release." Hellebuyck was joined at the All-Star Game by teammate Mark Scheifele, who leads the Jets in both assists (31) and points (54).Scheifele, who will skate in his 500th NHL game on Friday, joined Kyle Connor in both scoring and setting up a goal in the previous encounter versus Boston.Connor has scored 11 of his team-leading 25 goals over the last 15 games.--Field Level Media
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