GLENDALE, Ariz – Saturday night in each teams’ regular season finale, the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 on the road in front of a sell-out crowd. Connor Hellebuyck got the win for Winnipeg, and Calvin Pickard was between the pipes for Arizona.
Arizona’s Alex Galchenyuk broke the scoreless tie early, scoring his 19th of the season on the power play, unassisted off of a Winnipeg defensive zone turnover. Arizona held their 1-0 lead until Mark Scheifele’s one-timer found its way past Calvin Pickard with less than five minutes left in the first period.
After a very evenly-matched first period, where neither team dominated the pace of play, Winnipeg decisively took control of the game in the second. The Jets scored three goals in the second period, widening their lead to 4-1.
Jacob Trouba gave Winnipeg their first lead of the night, burying a loose puck in the crease just over two minutes into the period. Firing home Mark Scheifele’s rebound, Kyle Connor’s 34th of the year put Winnipeg up by two at the game’s halfway mark. The Jets’ final goal of the second period and the night was scored on the power play, as Nikolaj Ehlers buried another rebound off of Tyler Meyer’s blue line shot.
Brad Richardson would score the last goal of the night and the Coyotes’ season, cutting the Jets lead to 4-2 during the third period. The Coyotes’ Josh Archibald nearly scored Arizona’s third goal of the night, but it was called back after Winnipeg successfully challenged that there was goaltender interference on the play.
Even though Arizona was eliminated from playoff contention with Colorado’s overtime win over Winnipeg on Thursday night, Saturday night’s game had serious playoff implications for Winnipeg.
With the win, the Jets secured home ice in their first round matchup against the St. Louis Blues. Each team is tied at 99 points apiece, but the Jets earned home ice because they had three more regulation and overtime wins than the Blues.
However, Winnipeg’s win tonight did not give them their first Central Division title. As a result of Nashville’s 5-2 win over Chicago tonight, the Predators narrowly won the Central Division Championship with 100 points.
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