Nino Niederreiter scored two goals, and Connor Hellebuyck earned his second shutout of the season with just 21 saves as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Utah Hockey Club 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Gabriel Vilardi also scored, and Adam Lowry added two assists for the Jets, who improved to an impressive 12-1-0, marking their best start in franchise history. Winnipeg won their fourth consecutive game, keeping Utah from creating consistent scoring chances.
Niederreiter recorded his second multi-goal game of the season, while Hellebuyck wasn’t heavily tested but stepped up when needed to secure his 39th career shutout.
For Utah, Karel Vejmelka had a strong performance in goal with 25 saves but was unable to stop Winnipeg’s offense. The Utah team struggled on the power play, going 0-for-4. Utah has yet to win on the road in their last five games (0-3-2) after starting the season with two away victories.
The Jets led 12-6 in shots on goal in the scoreless first period, with Vejmelka playing confidently in his third start of the season.
Utah played with more energy in the second period and created some good offensive chances. However, Winnipeg scored first with 2:03 left before the second intermission.
With just seconds left on a Jets power play and Utah’s four skaters still on the ice for a long stretch, Josh Morrissey took a shot on goal. Gabriel Vilardi managed to deflect the puck past Karel Vejmelka to give Winnipeg the lead.
The Jets have been strong on the power play this season, converting 16 of 36 opportunities.
Hellebuyck helped preserve the lead just before the second period ended, making a great glove save on Utah’s star player, Clayton Keller.
Winnipeg extended its lead to 3-0 with 12:30 left in the third period, after a fast three-on-two rush. Mason Appleton and Adam Lowry assisted, and Niederreiter faked out Vejmelka to score.
Niederreiter then added an empty-net goal with 2:59 remaining, his seventh of the season.
