Vladislav Namestnikov scored one goal and assisted on two more, while his linemate Alex Iafallo contributed with a goal and an assist, helping the Winnipeg Jets secure a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
Kyle Connor and Morgan Barron also found the net for Winnipeg, with goalie Connor Hellebuyck making 25 saves to seal the win as the Jets began a four-game trip.
Despite already clinching a playoff spot, the Jets are still chasing the Colorado Avalanche for second place in the Central Division. Both teams have five games left in the regular season, including a crucial matchup against each other on April 13 in Denver.
Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov scored twice, with Mats Zuccarello assisting on both goals, but it wasn’t enough for the Wild, who are virtually out of playoff contention. They trail the Los Angeles Kings by 10 points for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, with only six games remaining. The Kings were set to play against the Vancouver Canucks later on Saturday.
The Jets completed a clean sweep against the Wild this season, winning all four of their matchups. They’ve been particularly dominant against teams in the Central Division, boasting a 17-5-1 record. In contrast, the Wild have struggled within the division, holding a record of 8-13-3.
Alex Iafallo’s redirection of Brenden Dillon’s slap shot gave the Jets a 3-2 lead midway through the second period. They held onto their advantage, thanks to their strong record when leading after two periods, improving to 34-1-1 in such situations.
Morgan Barron added an insurance goal in the third period, redirecting the puck behind Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. The trio of Namestnikov, Barron, and Iafallo on the fourth line proved to be effective for the Jets throughout the game.
Despite the win, Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness emphasized the importance of all four lines contributing consistently, especially in their quest for the Stanley Cup.
The game saw moments of back-and-forth action, with Kaprizov responding quickly to Namestnikov’s early goal for the Jets. However, it was Winnipeg who capitalized on their opportunities, with Iafallo setting up Namestnikov for another goal off a turnover by the Wild.
Fleury made 21 saves for the Wild, but the team’s coach expressed disappointment with the intensity displayed by several depth players.
