Clayton Keller's Return Sparks 4 Unanswered Goals In 5-2 Win Over Winnipeg Jets

Utah's offense never looked back after taking a 1-0 lead late in the second period as it cruised to a 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets, who are currently in first place in the Western Conference.

It may have taken a while—36 minutes, to be exact—for Utah's offense to score, but once captain Clayton Keller returned to the game, after a puck struck him just centimeters above his right eye, Utah played inspired hockey and scored immediately.

“I’m feeling great. I got lucky; (the puck) didn’t catch my eye," said Keller. "When it happened, it happened so fast. You don’t really feel much. But I tried to look through my eye and I knew I could, so I wasn’t really too worried after that.”

Before Keller returned, the game looked very different as Utah and Winnipeg were in the middle of a defensive battle where Utah goalie Connor Ingram, making his third start since Jan. 10, and Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who has a league best save percentage of .929 and allows the fewest goals per game, took turns saving goals.

It wasn't just the goalies who played solid defense; both teams won loose puck battles, blocked shots and prevented many open lanes into the offensive zone. Utah's defense was especially impressive as it played well despite not having defenseman Mikhail Sergachev for a second straight game.

But once Keller returned, the defensive battle was over as Utah would flip the script and go on to score four unanswered goals. In fact, Keller would be on the ice for only 40 seconds before Utah managed to score its first goal.

The goal was particularly inspiring due to Keller fearlessly being in front lines fighting with Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo right in front of the net. While it was later determined that Keller didn't deflect the puck into the net, teammate Olli Maatta was credited with the goal, marking his first as a Utah HC player.

"That’s a hockey player," said head coach André Tourigny. "Coming back without hesitation, without a doubt in his head; that was great.”

Still, Keller's play inspired the entire team and the crowd of Utah fans, who cheered loudly at his return. Keller did end up getting credited with an assist on the play along with teammate Nick Schmaltz.

Utah's offense was just getting started, adding another second period goal—this time from Logan Cooley—with only 17.9 seconds left on the clock.

After a wild pass from Winnipeg's Dylan Samberg fell short, Utah forward Bayton Hayton quickly swooped in to collect it. Samberg would try to recover and fight for the puck, but it would be too late as Hayton passed it off to Cooley, who was racing to center ice.

With Schmaltz joining Cooley on the left, Utah had a 2-on-1 advantage and plenty of open space to work with. Cooley's eye contact with Schmaltz fooled goalie Hellebuyck into thinking a pass was coming. Instead, Cooley scored a no-look goal, extending his goal streak to four games—the longest of his career.

Going into the third period up 2-0, Utah wouldn't let up on offense as it would score yet again with a goal from Hayton.

It all started with a big hustle play from forward Josh Doan, recently recalled from the AHL, as he chased down the puck and recovered it, despite Winnipeg defenseman Neal Pionk being closer to it. With Hayton trailing behind, Doan dumped it off to him, and the rest is history.

“Yeah, I think it's just learning when to make those plays and when you have opportunities to take advantage of that," said Doan. "I think it's just growing and growing in confidence to reward yourself with trying to make those plays and try to set guys up.”

Hayton and Doan would also both be credited with an assist on Utah's fourth goal of the night after some nice passing eventually led to a Matias Maccelli goal.

While Winnipeg scored two goals after that, Utah sealed the victory with a 5-2 lead, thanks to Keller's first official goal of the night, which came on an empty-netter.

Related: Utah HC's Clayton Keller Records 1 Goal And 3 Assists In 4-2 Win Over St. Louis Blues

Considering the last game between these teams resulted in Winnipeg winning a 3-0 shutout, Utah has got to be happy to get a win in its final game at home.

It won't be long before Utah faces the Jets again as it travels to Winnipeg right after a road game against the Minnesota Wild.

Til then, Utah will look to build on its recent success as it faces Minnesota for the third time this season. The series is tied 1-1.

Last Notes: 

With Keller getting "around 12" stitches, he joins teammate Liam O'Brien, who recently received "three stitches of his own after a fight against Tyler Tucker resulted in O'Brien bleeding from his forehead. 

Before a late misconduct and roughing penalty from Kesselring, Utah went the entire game without being assessed a penalty.

While Utah wasn't able to convert on either of its two power plays, it still proved to be really important for Utah as both happened in the second period while Keller was out getting stitches. Without its captain, Utah benefitted greatly from having easier offensive opportunities even though it didn't into any points.

With strong play at home resulting in two consecutive wins, can Utah carry that success over to its road games? Has Utah finally figured out how to win at home? Let me know what you think below.