Jets stars shine in 6-3 win over Rangers

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This article was published 12/11/2024 (332 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK – Playing in the world’s most famous arena, the Winnipeg Jets’ stars certainly came out to shine.

Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each delivered a pair of goals and combined for five points, Nikolaj Ehlers had two assists, Gabe Vilardi had a highlight-reel marker on the power play and Connor Hellebuyck finished with 33 saves as the Winnipeg Jets earned a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

“They certainly did,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “We knew there were going to be some opportunities going both ways with the firepower the Rangers have. When KC, Scheif and Gabe step up, that’s big for us. They did what they needed to do to get us on the board. That was a big first goal.”

Scheifele has been a force against the Rangers, delivering 15 goals and 20 points in 19 career games – including 10 in his past seven games at Madison Square Garden.

“It’s MSG. Just a fun place to play,” said Scheifele, who is up to nine goals and 21 points in 16 games. “I play with some good players and made some good plays out there. So, (when) you play at MSG, you’ve got to put on a show.”

The Jets, who became the fastest team in NHL history to record 15 wins, improved to 15-1 on the season and continue this three-game road trip on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“We talked about it at the start of the year, of banking points,” said Arniel. “We’ve got a very tough division. We’ve got a tough Western Conference. We’ve got to eliminate eight teams to get into the big dance. I don’t think I quite drew it up this way, but the guys have earned every inch of it.”

Let’s dig a little deeper into this one:

EARLY STARTER: The Jets got on the board 57 seconds into the game as Josh Morrissey kept the puck in at the offensive blue line and found Scheifele all alone in the slot. Scheifele accepted the pass and fired his shot past Igor Shesterkin.

The goal helped Scheifele extend his point streak to eight games.

After getting outscored 9-2 at five-on-five at one point, Scheifele’s line with Connor and Vilardi has now outscored its opponents 11-10.

That’s an impressive turnaround, but how have they flipped the script?

“Their buy-in without the puck has been a big part of it. If they don’t have it, they can get it,” said Arniel, who was steadfast in his belief of the line getting things back on track. “They’re aware of stuff like that and they want to be on the plus side of those numbers. It’s a long season and those things kind of have a tendency to work themselves out. I love the fact that, first, they’re thinking about our end and know that they have the skill set when they have the puck, it’s on their stick, they’re going to make plays and put themselves in situations to score goals.”

Connor provided a similar answer.

“I think just identifying what we’re good at,” said Connor, who leads the Jets with 10 goals and 22 points. “It’s getting through that neutral zone and not turning the puck over. It’s a function of our team game. Playing hard defence.”

THE POWER PLAY SPECIAL: The Jets have been a menace with the man-advantage as they continue to lead the NHL in power-play efficiency.

Tuesday’s second period marker was a form of artistry, with Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers taking advantage of a turnover before executing a perfect give and go.

Vilardi showed off his soft hands and patience, knocking the puck out of the air before finding Ehlers on the backdoor before Ehlers returned the favour and left Vilardi with an open net.

“Some pretty high-end skill there and finish,” said Connor, who had a game-high seven shots on goal in the contest. “I mean, the way Gabe picks up that puck in the middle of the ice. He knocks it out, pulls it around, passes it to (Ehlers), and to have that presence of mind and feel the goaltender sliding hard and to just tap it over and know he’s got a back-door.”

For Vilardi, it was his seventh goal of the season and extended his point streak to eight games.

“We were never worried about him. He’s a phenomenal player,” said Scheifele. “And, obviously, he’s unbelievable around the cage. So, we weren’t worried about him at all. It’s early in the season and he’s been playing amazing as of late.”

THE RETURN: After sitting out as a healthy scratch for 11 consecutive games, Haydn Fleury was back in the Jets’ lineup for the first time since Oct. 18 against the San Jose Sharks.

Paired with Colin Miller, Fleury took 19 shifts for 13:19 of ice time, including 2:47 while shorthanded, finishing with one shot on goal, four shot attempts and one hit.

“He went from standing still to a 100 mile an hour race,” said Arniel. “Real proud of the way he stepped up. We needed it. We need depth. Our defence has been really good to start the year.

“He got a taste of it early on, but obviously has been out a while. To see him jump in and play a solid role, that’s what you need when a guy is coming into the lineup.”

With Logan Stanley out for at least this road trip, Fleury has a bit of runway to show what he can do.

AFTERBURNER:

The key play – Scheifele redirected a pass from Dylan DeMelo 68 seconds into the third period to extend the Jets’ lead to two goals for the first time in the contest.

The three stars

Jets LW Kyle Connor: 2 G, 3 P, 7 SOG

Jets G Connor Hellebuyck: 36 shots, 33 saves

Jets C Mark Scheifele: 2 G, 2 P

EXTRA, EXTRA: Vladislav Namestnikov rounded out the scoring for the Jets, giving him goals in consecutive games and five goals and 12 points in 16 games. His career highs are 20 goals and 44 points in 62 games with the Lightning in 2017-18.

Jets defenceman Neal Pionk chipped in three assists and he’s up to 17 points in 16 games. That leaves him tied with Morrissey for second among blue-liners in the NHL.

Ehlers is up to six points on the power play this season (including three goals) and the decision by Davis Payne to promote the Danish winger to the top unit has clearly been bearing fruit in the first quarter of the season.

Hellebuyck made his 13th start to the season and improved to 12-1, with a goals-against average of 1.91 and a save percentage of .934. With Hellebuyck starting five consecutive games, look for backup Eric Comrie to make his next start on Thursday against the Lightning.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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