WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets have won three of their past four games and have their sights focused on a division title. The latest step toward claiming home-ice advantage came by way of a 2-1 win over the visiting New York Rangers on Tuesday.
Gabriel Vilardi scored the winner on a power play, Cole Perfetti chipped in with two assists, while Connor Hellebuyck made 21 saves for his league-leading 38th victory of the season.
The win moved Winnipeg to a staggering 45-17-4 on the year, good for 94 points 鈥 eight clear of the idle Dallas Stars, whom the Jets host on Friday.
"That was a hard-fought game,鈥 head coach Scott Arniel said post-game. 鈥淲e knew how desperate the Rangers were going to be, we certainly saw that. That was, at times, a little bit of a track meet going both ways.
"Both specialty teams had to step up and it was a good game. Good goaltending. Came out the right side of it."聽
TuesdayB次元官网网址 test marked the debut of trade deadline acquisition defenceman Luke Schenn and the home debut of returnee Brandon Tanev, who played parts of four seasons with the Jets to begin his NHL career.
Schenn finished with five hits, five shot blocks, a shot on goal and one takeaway in just over 16 minutes of ice time.
鈥淚tB次元官网网址 a lot more fun to play with him than against him, I'll tell you that,鈥 laughed Perfetti, who set a new career high with 40 points on the season. 鈥淗e had a couple of really big hits, a couple of really big blocks. And he's just always making the smart, simple play.
"He's a rock back there. Again, a lot more fun to play with. He's a heck of a player. A big guy out there and he's not fun to play against. It's great to have him.鈥
SchennB次元官网网址 new coach looked favourably on his debut as well.
"A big one,鈥 Arniel said of his immediate impact. 鈥(He) ran into some people. Couple big shot blocks. Keeps the game simple 鈥 like we talked about yesterday. Makes a good first pass. Recognizes what's ahead of him. I'm sure there were lots of nerves coming in here. First game, against a team like the Rangers, that was a real good first showing."
For a 35-year-old veteran on the 11th stop of his lengthy NHL journey, a good first impression goes a long way. Schenn skated with Haydn Fleury on the teamB次元官网网址 third defensive pair 鈥 a grouping that worked well in its first showing.
鈥淎t the end of the day, I just try to do whatever it takes to win,鈥 Schenn said. 鈥淥bviously, thatB次元官网网址 sort of my identity, and it always has been. If I鈥檓 not doing that, then I鈥檓 not playing to the best of my abilities.
"ThatB次元官网网址 what gets me to the game and at the end of the day, I鈥檒l do whatever I can to win. Like I said, whether the fans appreciate it or not, I鈥檓 trying to help the Jets win games.鈥
With 44 goals and 203 total points in 1,058 career games, Schenn is not one to dazzle offensively. His structure and defensive prowess are his bread and butter. He brought his A-game on Tuesday to a team in need of a solid, shutdown third pair defender.
And on his new team? Schenn was thoroughly impressed with what he saw.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e as advertised,鈥 he said. 鈥淥bviously, playing them this year, itB次元官网网址 not by mistake that they鈥檙e in this position in the standings. The biggest thing I noticed is how much structure there is and how much detail there is in the defensive zone. Guys are in position and defending first.
"At the end of the day, thatB次元官网网址 what wins in this league. They have skill, know when itB次元官网网址 time to take over and obviously, a great power play and goaltending. Like I said, it was pretty impressive to be a part of a group that plays the right way like this.鈥
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 11, 2025.
