Jets set NHL historical past, win 15 of first 16 video games

NEW YORK — The Winnipeg Jets made NHL historical past with their 6-3 victory on the New York Rangers on Tuesday evening, changing into the primary group to win 15 of its first 16 video games in a season.

“You play at MSG, you have to placed on a present,” mentioned middle Mark Scheifele, who scored two targets within the win. “It feels wonderful. Clearly, it has been an awesome begin for us, however tonight’s over. Benefit from the win. After which again to work.”

The Jets’ begin has been nothing wanting exceptional. They turned the fourth group since 1967-68 to steer the NHL in targets for and in opposition to per recreation via their first 15 video games. They’ve scored 5 or extra targets in half their video games. Their 73 targets this season are the third most by a group in its first 16 video games over the previous 30 years.

With their win on the Rangers, the Jets moved to 7-0-0 on the highway. The 36 targets they’ve scored away from Winnipeg are probably the most in NHL historical past for the 9 groups which have gained their first seven highway video games.

“We had talked about banking factors firstly of the season. We have a really robust division. I do not suppose I fairly drew it up this manner, however definitely the fellows have earned each inch of it,” mentioned head coach Scott Arniel, who was promoted from affiliate coach within the offseason.

Kyle Connor scored twice, whereas Gabriel Vilardi and Vladislav Namestnikov added targets. Connor Hellebuyck made 33 saves for the Jets, a lot of them vital stops in opposition to the Rangers to take care of his group’s momentum. Hellebuyck is now 12-1-0 on the season and outdueled the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin (5 targets on 32 photographs) in a battle of favorites to win the Vezina Trophy because the NHL’s high goaltender.

Connor mentioned he felt that the Jets’ forecheck benefitted from the Rangers urgent offensively.

“I believe they, for lack of higher phrases, have been dishonest for offense in sure areas. They have been going previous our defensemen at occasions, and we have been in a position to maintain pucks in and make ’em pay,” he mentioned.

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette merely felt the Jets executed higher.

“I do not suppose we have been urgent. Whenever you’re taking part in a group that is firing offensively and the execution is not the place it must be, it could possibly flip round on you fairly shortly,” he mentioned.

Scheifele scored 57 seconds into the competition earlier than the Rangers’ Will Cuylle tied it at 13:07 of the primary. Vilardi put the guests forward on the facility play at 8:58 earlier than Alexis Lafreniere tied the sport once more at 12:51 of the second. Connor put the Jets forward for good at 16:03 of the second. Scheifele scored once more 1:08 into the third — his ninth of the season — earlier than Kaapo Kakko narrowed the deficit to 4-3 simply 32 seconds later. Namestnikov scored his fifth at 13:08, and Connor accomplished the scoring into an empty internet with 20 seconds to play.

“It is coming from all areas of our group, high to backside. All people’s concerned in it, and that is what makes it so harmful, so deadly,” Connor mentioned of the Jets’ offense. “It isn’t only a one-trick pony. If one line has an off evening, we normally have two or three going.”

The Jets proceed on the highway with video games on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday and the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday.

Connor mentioned the group understands the historical past it is making however is not permitting it to be a distraction.

“Truthfully, we all know what we’re doing, however we do not take an excessive amount of inventory in it. It is transfer on to the subsequent one. It is ‘How can we enhance, how can we be higher?’” he mentioned. “I believe that is what made us profitable up to now. No person’s glad. We gained 15 right here, however I simply suppose that speaks to management not getting snug. Nonetheless quite a lot of season left.”