That 82-game rollercoaster called the regular season schedule is over - time to bring on the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Winnipeg Jets scored four third period goals en route to a 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Saturday afternoon at MTS Centre.

The game had no bearing on the standings for the Jets who clinched the second wildcard in the NHL's Western Conference thanks to the Flames 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

“For both teams it was difficult,” said Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice. “Not a lot of physicality in the game. A bit of an exhibition in terms of over handling the puck and bringing it back a bunch of times. It was a tough game, but we got back to skating a little bit in the third trying to get some pucks to the net. But a good game for a lot of guys, they hadn’t played in long time, they get into a game. You’d certainly like to clinch earlier, but you wouldn’t want to have to play too many of those.”

Michael Frolik, Lee Stempniak, Adam Lowry and Matt Halischuk scored in the third period for the Jets.

Former Brandon Wheat Kings forward Michael Ferland gave Calgary a 1-0 lead as he beat Michael Hutchinson 33 seconds after the drop of the puck.

Drew Stafford got the Jets even just 15 seconds later.

Winnipeg defensemen Dustin Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom both played in game 82.

Byfuglien returned from his four-game suspension for cross-checking N.Y. Rangers forward J.T. Miller back on March 31st.

Enstrom missed three games with an upper-body injury.

Defensemen Tyler Myers, Mark Stuart and Jacob Trouba along with forwards Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler and Mathieu Perreault took the afternoon off.

Saturday's victory gave the Jets a franchise record 99 points and their 43 wins tied a franchise high.

Winnipeg is heading into the post-season with four wins and a shootout loss in their last five games.


Stanley Cup Playoffs
Western Conference Quarterfinals
Winnipeg vs Anaheim
Vancouver vs Calgary
St. Louis vs Minnesota
Chicago vs Nashville

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Montreal vs Ottawa
N.Y. Rangers vs Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay vs Detroit
Washington vs N.Y. Islanders






photos by Ray Peters