WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Nino Niederreiter marked a significant milestone by netting two goals in his 900th NHL game, while Connor Hellebuyck turned in a stellar performance with 21 saves, leading the Winnipeg Jets to a commanding 3-0 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night.
Hellebuyck’s impressive display included his 39th career shutout and his second of the current season. Alongside Niederreiter’s contributions, Gabriel Vilardi added another goal for the Jets, with Adam Lowry providing assists for both of Niederreiter’s tallies.
This loss marked the end of Utah’s three-game point streak, where they had managed to secure a record of 1-0-2. For Utah, Karel Vejmelka was up to the task, stopping 25 shots during their second match of a challenging four-game road trip.
Despite the victory for Winnipeg, winger Kyle Connor saw his impressive streak come to an end, as he failed to score, resulting in the conclusion of his franchise record for consecutive games with points at 12.
In terms of game dynamics, Utah had three opportunities on the power play, yet they struggled to convert. They failed to register a shot during their first power play, and only managed to force Hellebuyck into making a single save during the subsequent two chances. In contrast, the Jets excelled defensively, blocking 17 shots compared to Utah’s mere five.
Winnipeg had its share of chances to capitalize offensively but initially hesitated, looking for an ideal setup. The breakthrough came when Josh Morrissey unleashed a powerful shot from the point, with Vilardi strategically positioned in front of the net, creating chaos for Utah.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Niederreiter skillfully lifted the stick of an opponent in the defensive end, enabling the Jets to regain possession of the puck. He quickly joined the offensive rush, executing a deft deke before deftly guiding the puck past Vejmelka into the net.
Statistically, the Jets showcased their prowess on the power play, scoring once in two opportunities, extending their streak of games with at least one power-play goal to six. They entered the matchup leading the NHL in power-play efficiency at an impressive rate of 44.1%.
Looking ahead, the Utah Hockey Club is set to face the Blues on Thursday, while the Winnipeg Jets will be taking on the Avalanche at home on the same night.