Jets extend winning streak to 3 games, down skidding Wild

Field Level Media|published: Sat 6th April, 18:49 2024

Apr 6, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Winnipeg Jets left wing Alex Iafallo (9) is separated from Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) during the second period at Xcel Energy Center. credits: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Vladislav Namestnikov scored once in a three-point game and Alex Iafallo collected one goal and one assist to lead the visiting Winnipeg Jets to a 4-2 victory over the slumping Minnesota Wild on Saturday in St. Paul, Minn.

Kyle Connor and Morgan Barron also scored for the Jets (47-24-6, 100 points), who are riding a three-game winning streak. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves.

Kirill Kaprizov scored both goals for the Wild (36-30-10, 81 points), who have lost three of four games and are in last-gasp territory with their hopes of reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs. Mats Zuccarello posted a pair of assists and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 21 shots.

The Wild have six games remaining in the regular season to close a double-digit deficit between themselves and a playoff spot. Winnipeg, which has clinched a playoff spot, sits third in the Central Division.

With the score tied 2-2 past the midway point of the second period, Iafallo put the Jets ahead for the third time in the clash by deflecting Brenden Dillon's point shot for his 11th goal of the season.

Barron rounded out the scoring at 9:46 of the third period, his 11th of the campaign, when he deflected Dylan Samberg's shot.

The Jets, who killed a late Wild power play, never trailed in the clash between division rivals, and competed a sweep of the four-game season series.

Shortly after Minnesota's Marco Rossi was denied on a breakaway, Namestnikov opened the scoring at the 2:33 mark. Iafallo gained a loose puck at the end boards, sent it to the front and Namestnikov converted his 11th goal of the season.

Kaprizov replied six minutes later. Upon receiving Zuccarello's feed in the slot, Kaprizov spun and sent home a top-shelf back-hand shot.

Connor put the Jets ahead a second time at the 11:44 mark of the opening frame by burying Sean Monahan's pass during a two-on-one rush for his first goal in nine games and 31st of the season.

However, Kaprizov's power-play goal four minutes later again tied the game with a one-timer from low in the right circle that found the mark for his 39th of the season.

—Field Level Media