After a challenging four-game road trip, home ice proved to be the perfect remedy for the Winnipeg Jets as they secured a gritty 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
A Bizarre Start, But a Much-Needed Goal
The game began with an unusually choppy pace—seven whistles in the first three minutes—setting the stage for an equally odd opening goal.
Nikolaj Ehlers carried the puck into the Rangers’ zone and left it for Cole Perfetti, who displayed great poise to pull Igor Shesterkin out of position. Perfetti then sent a pass toward the net, where Vlad Namestnikov got a piece of it before it ricocheted off Sam Carrick and into the open net at 5:18 of the first period.
This goal was a huge relief for Namestnikov, snapping a 12-game goalless drought and an eight-game streak without a point. The assist also marked a career-high 39 points for Perfetti this season.
Rangers Respond on the Power Play
The Rangers found the equalizer with exactly nine minutes left in the first period thanks to their dangerous power play.
Artemi Panarin sent a cross-ice feed to J.T. Miller, who fumbled the puck, but it deflected right to Mika Zibanejad in the slot. The Rangers’ sniper wasted no time, roofing it past Connor Hellebuyck to make it 1-1.
Jets Capitalize on the Power Play to Regain Lead
The second period was dominated by penalties, and Winnipeg’s top-ranked power play made New York pay.
After a flurry of penalties, including a cross-checking call against Miller, Perfetti was bumped up to the first power-play unit. With the Jets set up in the Rangers’ zone, Josh Morrissey sent a low pass to Perfetti, who nearly lost control before slipping a beautiful backhand pass to Gabriel Vilardi in the slot. With Shesterkin committed to Perfetti, Vilardi had a wide-open net, scoring his 27th goal of the season to put Winnipeg back on top, 2-1.
Close Calls, But No More Goals
Both teams had their chances to score throughout the second and third periods:
- Namestnikov and Adam Lowry were denied on breakaways by Shesterkin.
- The Rangers hit iron twice, narrowly missing the equalizer.
- Winnipeg’s fourth power play of the game late in the second period turned out to be their weakest, failing to extend the lead.
Early in the third, Dylan DeMelo thought he had made it 3-1 with a blast past Shesterkin, but New York challenged the goal, arguing Morgan Barron interfered with the goaltender. The officials agreed, wiping the goal off the board.
With just over two minutes remaining, Shesterkin headed to the bench for an extra attacker. The Rangers applied heavy pressure, but Winnipeg’s defense held firm, securing a crucial win.
Hellebuyck made 21 saves, earning his 38th victory of the season.
What’s Next for the Jets?
Winnipeg will be back in action on Friday night, hosting the Dallas Stars in a massive Central Division showdown. With the playoff race heating up, every point matters.
