The Winnipeg Jets secured their NHL-leading 45th victory with a 2-1 win over the visiting New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
Vladislav Namestnikov and Gabriel Vilardi provided the scoring for Winnipeg, while Cole Perfetti contributed two assists. Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor also added assists. Connor Hellebuyck made 21 saves for the Jets, who are tied with the Washington Capitals for the best point total in the league (94).
Mika Zibanejad netted the Rangers’ only goal, assisted by J.T. Miller and Artemi Panarin. Igor Shesterkin made 22 saves.
Namestnikov put the Jets on the scoreboard just 5:18 into the first period, He finished a play set up by Perfetti, whose pass settled in the crease before being tapped into the net.
The Rangers equalized at 1-1 on a power play 11:00 into the opening frame, thanks to a wrist shot from Zibanejad after Miller found him in the slot.
Winnipeg regained the lead with a power-play goal at 5:06 of the second period. Perfetti notched his second primary assist when he delivered a backhand pass to Vilardi, who made no mistake in front of the net.
The game was tightly officiated, featuring nine minor penalties, three of which were assessed to New York’s Miller before the midway point.
The Jets believed they had increased their lead to 3-1 with a shot from Dylan DeMelo 3:06 into the final frame. However, the goal was disallowed after a challenge for goaltender interference involving Morgan Barron.
In the frantic final moments of the game, the Rangers pulled their goalie but were unable to find the back of the net against Hellebuyck. Zibanejad missed with 59 seconds remaining.
–Field Level Media
