TEMPE, Ariz. — The Winnipeg Jets have one of the NHL's best defensive teams, superb goaltending and multiple scoring threats.
No wonder they have more points than any team in the league.
Mark Scheifele scored two goals, Connor Hellebuyck stopped 15 shots and the Jets extended their points streak to 12 games with a 6-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday night.
"They're a really good team," Coyotes coach André Tourigny said. “They’re not just a good team, they play maybe the best hockey in the NHL. They’re really stingy and poised with the puck.”
One of the NHL's best defensive teams, Winnipeg shut down the Coyotes most of the night, holding them to four shots until Nick Schmaltz scored midway through the second period.
Hellebuyck was sharp after being named to his fourth-career All-Star game on Thursday and the Jets finished with a 36-17 advantage in shots. Winnipeg has allowed three goals or fewer in a franchise-record 29 straight games and leads the NHL with 56 points.
Vladislav Namestnikov, Cole Perfetti, Adam Lowry and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored in Winnipeg's sixth-straight win. The Jets' points streak (10-0-2) is their longest since joining the NHL as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999-00.
“A lot of good efforts each and every night, and when some guys don’t have it, other guys pick them up,” Scheifele said. “It’s been it’s been a special ride so far.”
Arizona's Dylan Guenther scored in the third period of his 2023-24 debut and Karel Vejmelka stopped 29 shots. The Coyotes have lost three straight since winning six of seven.
“They make it really tough, but I did not like the way we stayed with when we had some adversity,” Tourigny said. “I think it’s out of character for us.”
The Jets spent long stints in Arizona's end in the first period, including a pair of power plays, but couldn't get anything past Vejmelka in 11 shots.
Namestnikov broke through late in the period, beating Vejmelka to the stick side after a giveaway behind the goal by Arizona's Sean Durzi went right out in front.
Ehlers made it 2-0 early in the second period, beating Vejmelka from the high slot after the puck caromed off teammate Dylan Samberg's skate.
Schmaltz capitalized on one of Arizona's few good scoring chances in the second period, scoring from the low left circle on a feed from Clayton Keller.
Perfetti put the Jets back up two goals late in the second period by punching in a rebound off his own shot on a delayed penalty.
Arizona turned up the offensive pressure to start the third period, but it turned against them when Scheifele scored on a breakaway to make it 4-1.
Guenther scored on a wraparound after Hellebuyck ventured too far from his crease. Scheifele and Lowry scored late to close out Winnipeg's third straight five-goal game against Arizona this season.
“We emphasize the pressure over the ice,” Jets coach Rick Bowness said. “They get in the zone, we get on them as quick as we can. We just apply as much pressure as we can all over so they’re not carrying the puck in.”
UP NEXT
Jets: Kick off a four-game homestand against Columbus on Tuesday night.
Coyotes: Host Boston on Tuesday night.
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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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