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Hellebuyck leads way in Winnipeg Jets' 4-1 Win Over Rangers

February 21, 2023, 1:00 PM ET [85 Comments]
Jacob Billington
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Connor Hellebuyck continues to shine this season, as he made 50 saves in the Winnipeg Jets' 4-1 win over the New York Rangers.

Mark Scheifele added a pair of goals, along with Kyle Connor and Pierre-Luc Dubois.

To kick the game off, the Jets got an early powerplay and Josh Morrissey takes a shot from the blue line that gets tipped in by Dubois. Not only was this an important opening goal, but it also had Morrissey gain sole possession of the most points by a defenseman in Jets/Thrashers history, which was previously held by Dustin Byfuglien with 56.

Later in the period, Neal Pionk does a great job picking up the loose puck and making a great breakout pass to Connor, who enters the zone and takes a shot. Igor Shesterkin couldn't control the rebound and Mark Scheifele picks it up and scores his first of the night.

Early in the second period, Connor gets a great pass right out in front of the net and proves why he is one of the best snipers in the game, beating Shesterkin cleanly. This was the Jets' third goal on just ten shots, while at this point Hellebuyck had a perfect 23 save night so far.

Connor has continued his dominant goal-scoring abilities, and even with just one goal in the first 14 games of the season, he is still on pace to hit just shy of 40 goals.

Hellebuyck's shutout would come to an end when Vincent Trochek is left all alone in a scramble out front and given an easy opportunity to score. Morrissey loses him and lets him go around the other side of the net for the tap-in.

The Jets didn't give the Rangers any more, though. And even when they did, Hellebuyck was there to make the save. This was a perfect showing of why Hellebuyck is without a doubt one of the best goaltenders in the league, and will challenge Linus Ullmark for the Vezina, despite Ullmark having a significantly better record.

Scheifele's second goal of the night, which was his 34th of the season, was a beautiful backhand shot that sealed the 4-1 victory. Scheifele on pace for 49 goals this season may be one of the most surprising stories of the NHL this season.

Overall, the Jets played an excellent game, moving to a record of 35-21-1. which have them one point back of the Dallas Stars for the first spot in the Central division, and four points up on the Colorado Avalanche, who are climbing back into where we all expected them to be.

The Jets' next three games are crucial. They play the New York Islanders twice, who are now without Mat Barzal, and the Avalanche, who are right on their tail. The Jets will need at least four points out of this stretch to stay comfortable.
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