Jets Ride Hellebuyck’s Hot Hand, Scheifele’s Four-Point Night to Rout Wild
The Winnipeg Jets are finding their groove-and Thursday night in Minnesota, they looked every bit like a team shaking off its road woes with purpose. Powered by a locked-in Connor Hellebuyck and a four-point performance from Mark Scheifele, the Jets rolled to a 6-2 win over the Wild at Grand Casino Arena, notching their fourth straight victory and snapping a nine-game road winless streak in the process.
Let’s break it down: this wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. One that started in net and finished with a flurry of milestones and momentum.
HELLEBUYCK SLAMS THE DOOR EARLY, TOEWS HITS 900
If the Jets needed a steady hand early, Hellebuyck delivered. Minnesota came out flying, peppering the veteran goaltender with the first 10 shots of the game. Hellebuyck turned them all away, buying his teammates time to settle in-and they made that time count.
After a pair of Wild penalties gave Winnipeg a 5-on-3 advantage, it was Jonathan Toews who broke through. The veteran forward cleaned up a rebound in front of Jesper Wallstedt, giving the Jets a 1-0 lead and collecting the 900th point of his NHL career in the process. That’s a milestone few players reach, and Toews did it in classic fashion-net-front, in a big moment, with the game still hanging in the balance.
JETS STRIKE TWICE IN EIGHT SECONDS TO CLOSE FIRST
The Jets didn’t stop there. With the period winding down, Tanner Pearson followed up his own rebound and buried his seventh goal of the season to double the lead. Just eight seconds later, Scheifele won an offensive zone draw cleanly to Josh Morrissey, who hammered a one-timer past Wallstedt with just under three seconds left in the period.
That quick-strike sequence turned a tight game into a 3-0 Winnipeg lead after 20 minutes-and as Scheifele put it postgame, “That was kind of a back breaker.”
For Morrissey, it was a historic moment as well. That goal helped him record his 90th career multi-point game, pushing him past Dustin Byfuglien for the most by a defenceman in franchise history. Quietly, Morrissey continues to etch his name deeper into the Jets’ record books.
STANLEY’S SLAPPER, SCHEIFELE STAYS HOT
Minnesota showed some life early in the second, cutting the lead to 3-1 on a Danila Yurov goal. But the Jets responded with poise-and a blast.
Logan Stanley, who’s been enjoying a breakout season, held the puck in at the blue line, took a few strides in, and unleashed a slap shot that beat Wallstedt clean over the shoulder. That’s goal number eight on the year for the big defenceman, who continues to grow into a more impactful presence on both ends of the ice.
After the game, Stanley gave a nod to Scheifele for his mentorship over the years.
“He’s helped me a lot, actually. Since I was 18, 19 and got drafted,” Stanley said.
“He’s always been in my corner. He’s a great friend, and I love him.”
Scheifele, meanwhile, wasn’t done. He added a secondary assist on Gabriel Vilardi’s power play goal midway through the second, then capped off his four-point night with a goal of his own-ripping a shot off the post and in after a slick setup from Alex Iafallo behind the net.
That’s Scheifele’s 13th career four-point game, tying him with Blake Wheeler for second-most in franchise history. It’s the kind of performance that reminds you just how dynamic he can be when he’s locked in and leading the charge.
ROAD DOMINANCE IN MINNESOTA CONTINUES
The Jets’ win wasn’t just big in the moment-it extended a trend. According to NHL Stats, Winnipeg has now won six straight road games against the Wild, dating back to the 2022-23 season.
That’s their longest active road win streak against any opponent. The only longer run in franchise history?
An eight-game road heater against the Vancouver Canucks from 2016-17 through 2020-21.
WHAT’S NEXT
With the win, the Jets are riding high and finally shaking off the road struggles that have plagued them. They’ll look to keep the momentum going when they return home to face the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canada Life Centre on Saturday.
If Thursday night was any indication, Winnipeg’s confidence is back-and they’re playing like a team that knows exactly what it’s capable of.