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 night time, turning into the primary staff to win 15 of its first 16 video games in a season.

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

The Jets’ begin has been nothing wanting outstanding. They turned the fourth staff since 1967-68 to guide the NHL in targets for and towards per sport by way of 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 staff 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 street. 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 street video games.

“We had talked about banking factors initially of the season. We have got a really powerful division. I do not suppose I fairly drew it up this manner, however definitely the blokes 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 crucial stops towards the Rangers to take care of his staff’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 capable of preserve 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. If you’re enjoying a staff that is firing offensively and the execution is not the place it must be, it may 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 ability 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 web with 20 seconds to play.

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

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

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

“Actually, 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 following one. It is ‘How can we enhance, how can we be higher?’” he mentioned. “I believe that is what made us profitable so far. No one’s happy. We gained 15 right here, however I simply suppose that speaks to management not getting snug. Nonetheless plenty of season left.”