The Winnipeg Jets are one of the hottest teams in the NHL and they notched a sixth straight victory by triumphing over the Arizona Coyotes 6-2 on Sunday night.
The Jets took the provisional lead in the general standings with 56 points having posted a record of 10-0-2 in their last 12 meetings. All this despite the absence of their top scorer Kyle Connor, injured in a knee for three weeks. They haven’t allowed more than three goals to a team since November 2 and they have the best goals against average in the league.
Connor Hellebuyck, who was recently invited to the All-Star Game for the fourth time in his career, improved his record to 20-6-3 with a 15-save performance.
The Jets took a 2-0 lead thanks to Vladislav Namestnikov who first flashed the red light in the first period when he was left alone in the slot. Then Nikolaj Ehlers scored his 14th goal of the season in the second, this one on the massive attack, by recovering a puck which hit the skate of Dylan Samberg before unleashing a lightning shot.
Nick Schmaltz got the Coyotes on the board with a shot that deflected off opposing defenseman Dylan DeMelo’s stick and bounced over Hellebuyck’s shoulder, making it 2-1. He usually has success against the Jets, with 6 goals and 10 assists in 18 games.
Cole Perfetti gave his team a two-goal lead and Mark Scheifele added more in the third before putting the match out of reach by shooting into an empty net. It was his 14th goal of the season. Adam Lowry also hit the target.
Dylan Guenther was the other scorer in a losing cause in his Coyotes debut this season. The 20-year-old forward who was called up yesterday is shining with the Tucson Roadrunners in the American League. The ninth overall pick in 2021 leads the farm club with 10 goals and 18 assists in 29 games.
Head coach André Tourigny said Saturday that his stay in the NHL may be brief so that he can continue to develop with the Roadrunners.
“I want to see him be responsible in both directions of the ice and work hard on the forecheck, rushing to the net. Dylan is not a player to look for on the ice, he sticks to his position, he is an intelligent player,” said the Quebec pilot.
The Jets have won all three meetings between the two teams this season, after winning 5-3 and 5-2 in November. They will meet one last time on February 25.
The Wings sink the Ducks at the very end
Michael Rasmussen scored the game-winner with 1:07 left and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2.
Joe Veleno and Dylan Larkin also scored and Alex Lyon stopped 29 shots for the victory.
Rasmussen’s net was first reviewed to confirm it was not an intentional skate to push the puck into the net.
Trevor Zegras scored both goals for the Ducks. Goaltender Lukas Dostal blocked 25 shots. Troy Terry had an assist after missing the last three games with an upper body injury.
Zegras scored his first of the game just 20 seconds into the first period, when he deflected Terry’s shot.
The Red Wings evened the score on the power play thanks to Larkin’s 14th goal of the season.
The Red Wings then took the lead 2:20 into the second period. Veleno rounded the net to beat the keeper and score his eighth goal of the campaign.
Zegras brought the two teams back to level at the start of the third period.
