WINNIPEG – After four straight losses and one of the busiest schedules in the league, the Winnipeg Jets finally had some days off to rest and get away from the rink before returning after almost a week off to welcome the struggling Florida Panthers to town.
The Panthers must have been shocked as the cold winter weather has taken over Winnipeg the last couple of weeks as temperatures have been -35 lately.
The Jets needed to get things going and there was no better time than tonight to halt their four-game losing skid against a Panthers team that is trying to get things turned around as well.
The Jets needed a shootout but grinded out a 4-3 win as Mathieu Perreault scored in the sixth round on a nice dangle to beat Roberto Luongo to give the home squad the much needed two points.
Luongo made 29 saves during the game in a losing effort including numerous highlight reel stops on Nik Ehlers who finished the game with six shots.
Connor Hellebuyck was peppered with 44 shots and came up with 41 saves including five more in the shootout. He improves to 11-10-1 on the year.
Dustin Byfuglien got the Jets on the board in the first with a bomb for his 4th of the year.
Florida struck for three goals in the second period all on the power play as the Jets continue to struggle on the penalty kill.
Adam Lowry notched his seventh of the year and Bryan Little scored his fourth of the season to round out the scoring for the Jets.
Jaromir Jagr the legend who continues to be a force at the ripe age of 44 picked up a helper on the Panthers first goal and now sits just three points back of Mark Messier for second all time in NHL scoring.
The Jets looked a bit rusty as they had a couple days off from the rink but it was a gutsy effort by all to get the win.
Colorado comes to town for a Sunday afternoon tilt at the MTS Centre.
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