Jets captain Lowry delivers when moment demands it the most

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This article was published 04/04/2025 (417 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KEARNS, Utah — The question wasn’t even complete and Adam Lowry couldn’t help but lean back and let out a chuckle.

On an evening when the Winnipeg Jets captain snapped a 10-game goal-scoring drought by getting to the front of the net and banging home a loose puck late in the first period of a 4-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, Lowry wasn’t about to resist the chance to make light of the situation.

“I’ve been ice cold,” said Lowry, who tied his career high by notching his 15th goal of the season, a number he hasn’t hit since 2016-17. “I feel like the last few games I’ve had some chances and they haven’t been falling for me.”

The evidence supports Lowry’s assertion.

The powerful centre had plenty of quality opportunities in prior games to hit the mark, but for whatever reason, the puck just didn’t find the back of the net.

It’s no surprise that Lowry delivered a big goal in a big moment.

During the course of his career, Lowry has routinely shown that when the stakes are highest, you can count on him.

“Certainly. That’s a guy you want every day in the playoffs,” said Jets right-winger and frequent linemate Mason Appleton. “He fits that mould, with his size and his style of play. You always see him rise to the occasion at this time of the year.”

As the Jets prepare to face Utah HC on Saturday night to wrap up this three-game road trip, Lowry isn’t sure who will join him and Appleton.

During Friday’s workout, it was Brandon Tanev doing the job since Nino Niederreiter (who had two assists, five shots on goal and three hits against the Golden Knights) was with Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti.

Part of the reason was Nikolaj Ehlers missed the on-ice session after he was hit by two pucks in the same leg on Thurdsday, one blocking a shot by Nic Hague in the first period and then another on some not-so-friendly fire from Perfetti during a third period power play.

Ehlers was walking around the Olympic Oval a bit gingerly, but Jets head coach Scott Arniel sounded encouraged when he was asked for an update on his status.

“Actually he’ll be a game time (decision). Not as bad as we thought,” said Arniel. “He’s a lot better than he was after the game (Thursday) night. We’ll see how it goes.”

Speaking of injuries, Jets’ defenceman Neal Pionk continues to take steps forward and made it through another conditioning session on Thursday, so it looks like he should be able to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season.

Lowry is in the midst of another stalwart campaign.

Along with his 15 goals (which includes four game-winners), Lowry has 32 points (four shy of his career high) to go along with his physical play (126 hits), 56 blocked shots, a faceoff percentage of 51.6 and quality efforts on the penalty kill and the defensive side of things.

So, even when he goes through those “ice cold” stretches, Lowry can still find plenty of ways to contribute.

“You know what he’s going to bring every single night. He’s a huge piece on this team,” said Appleton. “On the ice, you’ve seen the evolution of his game. He can match up against any line and then offensively, he can also create as well. He’s got that ability around the net — to get there, to stay there and not get pushed out — and score timely goals and make good plays coming out of his end and through the neutral zone.

“He’s a really simple player to read off of and play with too. He’s become a heck of a player in this league.”

That Lowry does so much heavy lifting but still does his part when it comes to complementary scoring is a testament to his work ethic.

“He plays the game the right way. The little details in his game are shining each night,” said Tanev. “He’s a leader, he’s vocal when he needs to be but his play talks when he’s on the ice.

“When you play that type of game continually over an 82-game season, it translates a little bit easier to the playoffs because you don’t have to change the style of play.”

Lowry’s skillset, coupled with his consistency and smarts, have allowed him to grow into a Selke candidate as one of the top defensive forwards in the NHL.

“I’d love for him to get more recognition for that, for the Selke,” said Arniel. “He’s a guy that has been pretty consistent over the years going against the other team’s number one lines. Not only doing that, but going out to defend leads, on penalty kill, or having to step up for his teammates — on the physical side, whether that’s fighting or running people over. He does a lot of stuff.

“Then put on top the ‘C’ he’s wearing, and the leadership on and off the ice, it’s pretty impressive what he does day in and day out.”

After Eric Comrie recorded a 26-save shutout in his 19th start of the season, the Jets will be going back to workhorse Connor Hellebuyck, while Utah HC will counter with Karel Vejmelka — who is expected to make his 20th consecutive start.

The Jets are 2-1 against Utah HC this season but lost the last road meeting 5-2 at the Delta Center in January, prompting Arniel to call his team out for sloppy play.

The Jets responded by winning 11 consecutive games to set a franchise record — including a 5-2 win over Utah HC in the rematch.

“They’re quick off the rush. They ate us up here in this building with their transition game,” said Arniel. “We were better in our building. But it’s the big emphasis for them. They have skilled forwards that can make plays. I know they’re still not out of it yet and they’re battling as hard as they can. You get a team that’s desperate and looking for an opportunity.”

With six games left in the regular season, the Jets hold a four-point cushion over the Dallas Stars, who hold a game in hand while Utah HC is nine points out of the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference and has three teams to leapfrog — so they’re in must-win territory to keep their hopes alive.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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