Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec had another one of those nights that fans who were inside MTS Centre or watching on TV are going to remember for a long time.

By the time roughly 64 minutes and 16 seconds had been played on Tuesday, Pavelec had made 55 saves but that wasn’t enough as the Winnipeg Jets fell 5-4 in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Pavelec was the story in this one as many of his stops were of the highlight-reel variety — and the one that supplied the most drama saw him dive across his crease to rob fellow Czech Repulic countrymen Jakub Voracek on the backdoor to prevent a power-play goal that would have tied the game.

“He’s been playing like that the whole year,” said Jets winger Evander Kane, who scored his 23rd goal of the season at 4:57 of the third period on a floating wrister from just inside the blue line that fooled Ilya Bryzgalov. “It’s been pretty spectacular, but I don’t think we’re too surprised by it. There’s a lot of pucks that go towards the net and not a lot of goalies would be able to stop. But he’s so athletic, he’s able to do that.”

As has been customary of late at MTS Centre, fans have been rising to their feet to salute the outstanding work of Pavelec, who made his 50th start and 51st appearance in 62 games.

“He was excellent, he gave us a chance to win and I feel bad for him because we spoiled a great performance on his part,” said Jets captain Andrew Ladd, who scored twice in a span of 64 seconds during the second period to give him 19 goals on the season. “I’m sure he’s frustrated.”

There’s no doubt Pavelec was frustrated.

As I made my way toward the Jets’ dressing room after filing the game-over story on deadline, Pavelec was seen pacing in the hallway and his frustration was evident. This was one of the only times we can remember all season that Pavelec didn’t address the media after the game and he’s certainly earned the goodwill during the course of the campaign to be excused. We’re guessing he was exercising the old adage that if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say nothin’ at all…

Finding a way to get the two points is all that Pavelec cares about and his show of frustration merely reiterated that belief.

Giving up a goal in the final minute of regulation and final minute of overtime is tough for any team to swallow, but since the Jets are playing games every other day this week, there’s simply no time to waste worrying about lost points.

In some ways, the Jets might not even have earned a point without the play of Pavelec, so finding a way to build on the positives is all they can do at this point.

* The Jets’ power play that struggled to the tune of 5-for-53 has scored on five consecutive chances, including three on Tuesday vs Philly. Tim Stapleton had assists on each of the PP goals.

* Top line remains hot: Ladd had two goals (on five shots), while Blake Wheeler (one assist) and Bryan Little (two assists) paced the offence again.

* Kane is able: The third-year left-winger now has 23 goals on the season and has five goals and eight points in the eight games since returning from a concussion that kept him out of the lineup for seven games.

In other news, the Eastern Conference race continues to be interesting.

With the point gained for the overtime loss, the Jets remained in ninth place but improved their standing somewhat.

With 65 points (in 62 games), the Jets are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs (who hold two games in hand but lost in OT to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday) and the Florida Panthers (who have four games in hand and maintain top spot in the Southeast Division for now).

The Jets are back in action Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are riding a three-game winning streak despite the fact they’ve moved three players – Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie – in deals this week to build for the future. They’re also without Vinny Lecavalier, who is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury.

Even still, head coach Guy Boucher has the Lighting playing well. They’re currently 11th in the East and only five points behind the Jets in the standings, while holding three games in hand.

 

After what appeared to be some posturing earlier in the day, the Philadelphia Flyers announced on twitter Tuesday afternoon that Ilya Bryzgalov will be the starter in goal against the Winnipeg Jets, a development that likely has fans coming to the MTS Centre foaming at the mouth for the chance to chant his name and deliver some boos.

Bryzgalov — who criticized Winnipeg last spring as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes but subsequently apologized during a visit here in November where he served as the backup — has endured an up-and-down season with the Flyers, going 20-11-6 with a 2.79 GAA and .900 save % in 40 appearances this season.

His most recent outing saw Bryzgalov get pulled against the Pittsburgh Penguins an he declared after the contest that he was going to try and “find peace” to play goal in Philadelphia.

Bryzgalov has often been brutally honest in his dealings with the media and his rough morning at MTS Centre Tuesday morning included a shot off his finger from teammate Claude Giroux that forced him to leave the ice early.

Bryzgalov declined an interview request and was overheard telling a few teammates he was okay, so we figured he’d be getting the nod.

How his confidence holds up will be a storyline to follow here this evening, especially since the Jets have found their offensive game of late, putting up 12 goals in regulation during the past three games (13 if you count the shootout marker).

The Jets are riding a three-game winning streak going into their fourth and final meeting with the Flyers and will attempt to secure a series sweep after earning 9-8, 6-4 and 2-1 (shootout) wins over them this season.

“We’ve had some energy when we’ve played them and have been able to score goals,” said Jets winger Kyle Wellwood. “We’re hoping to jump on their goaltenders again and make it a rough night.”

Wellwood won’t get the chance to face his younger brother Eric, who has appeared in four games for the Flyers but looks like he’ll be a healthy scratch in this one.

The Flyers will have both Pavel Kubina and Nicklas Grossman in the lineup after picking up the experienced blue-liners in separate swaps last week.

“It adds some depth, some experience and some size back there — and that’s a positive,” said Peter Laviolette.

With a win, the Jets would move into first place in the Southeast Division and third in the Eastern Conference, though the Florida Panthers would hold four games in hand.

“This is a big opportunity for us,” said Jets defenceman Randy Jones. “I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to the standings, but I understand we’re in a crucial time right now and a crucial spot. We just have to control our own fate, win games and let the rest happen.”

Fellow blue-liner Zach Bogosian remains on the sidelines with an upper-body injury, while winger Eric Fehr is getting another shot on the fourth line with Antti Miettinen a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game.

Puck drops at 6:05 p.m. and here’s how we expect both teams to start on Tuesday:

Winnipeg Jets

Andrew Ladd-Bryan Little-Blake Wheeler
Evander Kane-Alex Burmistrov-Kyle Wellwood
Tanner Glass-Jim Slater-Chris Thorburn
Tim Stapleton-Nik Antropov-Eric Fehr

Toby Enstrom-Dustin Byfuglien
Johnny Oduya-Ron Hainsey
Mark Stuart-Randy Jones

Ondrej Pavelec (Chris Mason)

Philadelphia Flyers

Scott Hartnell-Claude Giroux-Wayne Simmonds
Danny Briere-Matt Read-Jaromir Jagr
James van Riesmsdyk-Brayden Schenn-Jakub Voracek
Max Talbot-Sean Couturier-Zac Rinaldo

Kimmo Timmonen-Braydon Coburn
Matt Carle-Pavel Kubina
Nicklas Grossman-Andrej Meszaros

Ilya Bryzgalov (Sergei Bobrovsky)