In Winnipeg, the Jets scored four times in the third period on Tuesday to defeat the Minnesota Wild, 6-3.
Mark Scheifele hit for a hat trick for the Jets and added an assist.
“I think we just kind of got our feet under us,” Scheifele said. “Sometimes it just takes a little bit to get into the game and you’ve just got to stick to the plan. We did that. We got our chances. … It’s just a matter of sticking with it and not trying to do it all in one shift.”
Blake Wheeler kicked in four assists for Winnipeg.
“Blake looks like he’s back to his old self,” Winnipeg coach Dave Lowry said. “He’s comfortable with the puck, he’s making plays. [Wheeler and Scheifele] have played a lot of games together. They know where each other is going to be. And I really think that [linemate Paul Stastny] has been a very good complementary player with them.”
Connor Hellebuyck made 33 saves in the Jets win.
After the Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek scored for a 1-0 lead to Minnesota, Scheifele scored three straight for a natural hat trick and a 3-1 Winnipeg lead.
“We didn’t like our game right from the start,” Minnesota head coach Dean Evason said. “We didn’t finish checks. We were going a lot of east-west. Winnipeg did a lot of really good things against us, again.”
Winnipeg improved to Jets 21-18-8.
“[Wheeler] has been great after the [All-Star] break as well,” Scheifele said. “I owe all of it to him, and [Stastny] as well. He’s always in the right spot. He’s such a smart player, he’s so easy to play with. I owe it all with those two guys.”
Cole Perfetti and Kyle Connor also scored for the Jets.
“It’s a good feeling,” Perfetti said. “A little bit of a lucky one. I guess just go to the net and let it hit you. That one hit my arm. Fortuitous bounce.”
Mats Zuccarello and Dmitry Kulikov also scored for the Wild.
“They kind of took over a little bit in the second there,” the Wild’s Alex Goligoski said. “We left Cam out to dry. A couple backdoor goals, breakaway, deflection. It’s a 60-minute game. We can’t take shifts off and stuff like that, and I think that was the story tonight.”
Minnesota dropped to 30-12-3.
“We had a good first period, we looked really good,” the Wild’s Marcus Foligno said. “They keep working there and they’re desperate, and that’s how they played in that second period. … We’ve been on a roll and it’s been good hockey as of late. We just run into these rivals and sometimes it’s tough sledding.”
Paul Stastny hit for an empty-net goal to seal the Jets win in the 6-3 final.
Cam Talbot made 25 saves in the Wild loss.
“Give [Winnipeg] credit, they’re working for their playoff lives,” Foligno said. “Everyone is, and that’s just how it’s going to be. More emotional, more desperate teams down the stretch with the last little bit of games here. That’s the hockey we need to start expecting from ourselves.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.