In Winnipeg, Connor Hellebuyck made 40 saves and the Jets defeated the New York Rangers, 4-1, on Friday night.
“This team played the right way,” Hellebuyck said. “That was a great team win tonight, and we needed everyone and we got everyone. It’s a great building step, and I think the character in this locker room is just going to continue to show and grow.”
Mark Scheifele hit for a double in the win.
“[Hellebuyck] made a lot of big saves,” Scheifele said. “We had guys bailing each other out, I think that’s the biggest thing. When a guy made a mistake, we had guys backing them up. Obviously, we’ll have to fix that for the next one, but all in all, big win, and I’m happy with that one.”
Dryden Hunt was the lone striker for the Rangers.
“We were not great in the first,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. “I thought we played a real good second, and then in the third, I think we ran out of gas so we made a lot of mistakes in the defensive zone, which usually happens from mental mistakes and tired mistakes.”
Hunt’s goal tied the game, 1-1, in the third period.
“When you get an opportunity like that, especially with coming into the lineup, you kind of want to make the most of it,” said Hunt, who was playing in his second game of the season. “[Hellebuyck] was pretty good all night, so for that one to go in was huge. It just would have been nice to kind of keep it rolling, I guess.”
Sam Gagner restored the Jets lead at 2-1.
“It feels great,” Gagner said of the standing ovation he received after scoring. “The fan support here is incredible. I’ve only been here for a short time, but you can see the passion from the fanbase, and everyone’s been really welcoming, from my teammates to the fans. It’s been great so far, and hopefully keep it rolling.”
Scheifele scored his second off the power play, late in the third.
“Outside of that first and that third, I think we know what works for us,” New York captain Jacob Trouba said. “We just got away from it a little bit tonight. We’re not going to play perfectly every game this year, so we’ll learn from it and address it going forward.”
Kyle Connor hit an empty-net goal for the 4-1 final.
Jaroslav Halak made 30 saves in the New York loss.
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