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Niederreiter & Hellebuyck Fuel Jets Who Soar Over Utah

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Nov 6, 2024 2:03 PM ET

The Winnipeg Jets flew to a 3-0 win over the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night. A two-goal performance from Nino Niederreiter powered this win in his 900th NHL game. The Jets also got yet another standout night from goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets’ win gave them an added boost as they continued their strong start to the season, with their power play and defense in sync.

Key Jets Players Shine in Shutout

Nino Niederreiter stole the spotlight. He scored two goals and hit a career milestone in his 900th NHL game. His goals came in the second and third periods, with his third-period score being an empty-netter that sealed the win. Niederreiter’s recent form has been impressive. He’s put up seven goals in his last nine games. In doing so, he’s established himself as a reliable scorer for Winnipeg.

Gabriel Vilardi also got on the scoresheet with a power-play goal. That goal with the man advantage extended the Jets’ streak to six straight games with a power-play tally. The 25-year-old forward has points in his last seven games. The streak highlights his chemistry on the Jets’ top line and power-play unit. Vilardi has been a huge piece of the Jets’ offense, contributing both on and off the puck.

Hellebuyck Is Heroic Once Again for the Jets

Connor Hellebuyck put up his third shutout of the season with a 21-save effort. There’s little doubt that he remains one of the NHL’s top goalies. His dominant 9-1-0 record, combined with a .923 save percentage and a 2.10 goals-against average, makes him central to Winnipeg’s success.

Hellebuyck’s poise and consistency have been vital in the Jets’ impressive early-season run. His shutout Tuesday celebrated the 39th of his stellar career. Once again, the Vezina winner is showing that he’s the real deal.

Jets Dominate Special Teams, Utah Struggles

Winnipeg’s power play continued to shine. The unit converted on one of two chances and maintained its league-best 44.1% power-play efficiency. The Jets held firm on the penalty kill, allowing only one shot on goal during Utah’s three power plays. These successes underscore the Jets’ disciplined defense. The team blocked 17 shots compared to Utah’s five, effectively stifling the visitors’ scoring attempts.

Utah, which came into the game on a three-game point streak, struggled to generate consistent offense. Their power-play unit couldn’t capitalize, resulting in the Jets having a comfortable defensive night. Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka made 25 saves in the loss. While he kept his team in contention, he could not stop the Jets’ solid play.

Looking Ahead for the Jets

The Jets have gained momentum all season, and last night was no exception. They face the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Can they meet the Avalanche’s challenge and continue their strong season start?

With its defensive structure and offensive depth firing on all cylinders, Winnipeg’s win over Utah is another promising step in its campaign. When will the season ever catch up with the Jets, if it ever does? These days, anything less than an easy win is a surprise.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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