Jets edge Islanders, again tie franchise mark for consecutive wins

Field Level Media|published: Fri 7th February, 23:12 2025

Feb 7, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Colin Miller (6) and New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) eye an incoming shot on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) in the first period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

Gabriel Vilardi scored two goals and Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves as the Winnipeg Jets ran their winning streak to eight games with Friday's 4-3 victory over the visiting New York Islanders.

The eight-game run matches the longest winning streak in franchise history, dating back to the 1999-2000 Atlanta Thrashers. Two of the Jets' four all-time eight-game winning streaks have come this season, as Winnipeg also went 8-0-0 in its first eight games.

Alex Iafallo and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the Jets. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each had two assists.

Hellebuyck stopped 32 of 35 shots to earn his league-leading 34th win. The star goaltender was particularly sharp down the stretch, with 18 saves in the third period.

Simon Holmstrom, Marc Gatcomb, and Kyle Palmieri scored for the Islanders, who lost for only the second time in their last 10 games (8-2-0).

Ilya Sorokin stopped 23 of 27 shots.

New York led 2-1 after the first period, as the Islanders were helped by a pair of Jets turnovers. Holmstrom converted on a three-on-one rush just 1:05 into the game, and Gatcomb took advantage of a poor clearance attempt to score at the 12:07 mark.

In between the Islanders' goals, Iafallo delivered a big individual effort at 4:27 of the first frame. He took the puck behind his own blue line, forced his way past Bo Horvat while rushing down the ice, then beat Sorokin with a wrist shot.

Winnipeg took command with three goals in the second period, all on great passing plays. Connor started things at the 4:23 mark with a pass that found Vilardi streaking toward the net for the equalizer.

At 14:50 of the second frame, Cole Perfetti's spectacular backhanded pass from behind New York's net found Ehlers in front for the Jets' first lead of the game.

Vilardi displayed both his passing and finishing ability on a tic-tac-toe sequence with Scheifele 18:18 into the second period. It was Vilardi's 24th goal, setting a new personal best for the forward over six NHL seasons.

Palmieri deposited a rebound 11:07 into the third period. This was as close as the Islanders would get, despite outshooting the Jets 19-6 in the final frame and having three power-play attempts.

--Field Level Media

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