Jets make statement against Stars

DALLAS — Scott Arniel began the day by embracing the magnitude of the task ahead.

“Everybody knows how big of a game this is,” the Winnipeg Jets head coach said following the morning skate inside American Airlines Center.

His hockey club ended the day with another statement, schooling the Dallas Stars from start to finish in the form of a dominating 4-0 victory that might just be one of the most important in franchise history.

The Jets are now on the cusp of clinching the Central Division and sewing up the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference, which would be the first time that’s happened in Winnipeg’s NHL history.

The only way they can’t finish on top is if they lose all three of their remaining games in regulation, and Dallas finds a way to win all three of their remaining games in regulation.

“Obviously, we clinched a playoff spot and right now, we’re chasing the top spot. That’s our goal. To try and get home ice throughout the whole playoffs,” said Jets forward Kyle Connor.

“It could be the difference down the stretch. You never know, especially the way our fans come out. We love playing in front of them. It will be pretty special.”

Touted as a heavyweight battle between two legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, it was the Jets who took the biggest and hardest swings. From their own crease to the Dallas net, this was a clinic in efficient, smothering two-way hockey.

It was also milestone night for the Jets in more ways than one.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 25 shots he faced to increase his franchise record with his eighth shutout of the year. He also beat his franchise record with his 45th victory, which is three off the NHL’s all-time mark.

Not to be outdone, Connor scored twice in the third period to put the game on ice, hitting 40 for the second time in his career and setting a new single-season personal high with 94 points.

Linemate Mark Scheifele set up one of those goals, which gave him a career-high 85 points.

The Jets also increased their franchise record for wins in a year, now at 54, and they need three points in their final three games to set a new franchise record for points.

“We’ve had a few milestones that have happened this year. It’s great. Great accomplishment for those players, should be real proud of them,” said Arniel.

“At the end of the day, I don’t even have to tell them. Those are the guys that are more concerned about where the team’s at and where we are when it comes to securing a playoff spot, where we are in the standings. Those guys know that they need to do those things offensively for us to have success but at the same time, they recognize that it’s a team game and there’s a lot more to it.”

Go to the net, get rewarded

It’s easy to say, but much harder to do. And, to be honest, Nino Niederreiter hasn’t done nearly enough of it lately as his offensive game has largely gone ice cold.

The veteran winger got back to the basics in this one, getting a stick on a Josh Morrissey blast and causing the puck to change direction enough to beat a surprised Jake Oettinger with just over a minute left in the first period that the Jets had largely controlled.

Niederreiter’s 16th of this season gave the visitors the lead they were desperately looking for. It also served up a valuable reminder that good things often happen when you go to the hard areas of the ice.

The Jets will need much more of that from Niederreiter and his teammates as the going gets tough.

So nice, he did it twice

Morgan Barron scored one of the nicest goals of his career in Monday’s 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues, taking a pass from Morrissey, turning on the burners, fending off an attacker and burying a breakaway deke.

It was incredible stuff from a depth player with 29 goals on his resume over 252 NHL games. Surely he couldn’t do that again if he tried, right?

Wrong.

Barron served up a thrilling sequel on Thursday, this time taking the puck himself out of the defensive zone, gaining speed through the neutral zone and then carving up the Dallas D-core like perfectly barbecued brisket to give the Jets a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

Have the Jets somehow unlocked the best version of the 26-year-old? It sure seems that way, and shifting him over to centre from the wing last month has clearly done wonders for a player who has the size and the speed to be a force.

Let’s get physical

A sure sign the Jets came to play? The fact they were willing to pay the price, time and time again, by taking the body.

Winnipeg’s single-game season high for hits was 37. They had 40 in this one — by the second intermission. They finished with 44.

Leading the way was trade-deadline addition Luke Schenn, whose seven bodychecks included a third-period bone-crusher on Dallas forward Mason Marchment. The other newest Jets skater, Brandon Tanev, had six, as did captain Adam Lowry.

“I think that has a lot to do with the guys (recognizing) what’s still at stake here for us,” Arniel said of the physicality.

“Dallas is a big team. They’re a great skating team. If you don’t run into them, they’re going to make plays. They’re going to do things that you don’t want them to do. I thought that, for us, we came out and played a hard road game. You try to do that every game but tonight, I liked our battle. It was really strong.”

Key play

Barron’s breakaway goal early in the second period gave the Jets some breathing room.

Three stars:

1. Jets, Connor Hellebuyck: 25 saves for the shutout
2. Jets, Kyle Connor: 2G
3. Jets, Josh Morrissey: 2A

Extra, extra

There were only two minor penalties in the game. The first, a dubious slashing call near the end of the second period to Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets killed it off as officials essentially let them play.

Speaking of Ehlers, he returned from a two-game absence due to a lower-body injury and dropped the gloves late in the third with Dallas forward Sam Steel, who had given him a swat to the head after taking a holding penalty against the sppedy Dane.

“You know what, that’s Nikky. He sticks up for himself,” said Arniel.

“I’ve seen him in a few fights now. He’s a tough, scrappy kid. When you have elite, top-six players like that, (who) are extremely competitive like he is and doesn’t give up an inch… that’s just the competitive side and you love to see it.”

Defenceman Neal Pionk also returned to the lineup after missing the past 12 games with a lower-body injury.

Winnipeg’s healthy scratches were defencemen Haydn Fleury, Colin Miller and Ville Heinola; forwards David Gustafsson and Rasmus Kupari; and third-string goaltender Chris Driedger.

The Jets flew to Chicago following the game and will enjoy a day off Friday in the Windy City. They’ll face the Blackhawks on Saturday night in their final regular-season road contest, then return home to host the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday.

 

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg