The Winnipeg Jets returned home on Tuesday night, March 11, 2025, and emerged victorious against the New York Rangers with a score of 2-1, solidifying their position as the top team in the NHL. This victory marked the Jets’ 45th win of the season, achieved faster than any other team in franchise history, as they played their 66th game.
The Jets have been on quite the roll at home, extending their unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1), dating back to mid-January 2025. An enthusiastic crowd of 14,278 filled the Canada Life Centre to witness the matchup against the desperate Rangers, who were fighting for their postseason lives.
Vladislav Namestnikov opened the scoring for the Jets early on, netting his 11th goal of the season just over five minutes after the puck dropped. The play started when Nikolaj Ehlers carried the puck across the blue line, dropping it to Cole Perfetti, who demonstrated remarkable poise before sending it to the net. Namestnikov managed to get a piece of it, and it eventually sailed past Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. This marked the end of Namestnikov’s nine-game point drought.
“It feels good to see the puck go in after all the hard work,” Namestnikov remarked after the game, clearly relieved after his long stretch without scoring. The Rangers didn’t stay quiet for long; they equalized late in the first period when Mika Zibanejad scored with just under nine minutes remaining, taking advantage of their power play opportunity to beat Connor Hellebuyck.
The second period saw the Jets reclaim the lead thanks to Gabriel Vilardi’s goal, his 27th of the season, scored just five minutes in. Again, it was Perfetti who played the pivotal role, using clever positioning to pass the puck to Vilardi, who found himself with enough space to score. “It was great to see how the team rallied,” Perfetti, who registered two assists, said. “Every game is tough as we head toward the end of the season, and tonight was no exception.”
With his two assists, Perfetti not only helped lead his team to victory but also set a new career high with 40 points this season, surpassing his previous best of 38 from last year. “That’s pretty cool,” he said reflectively, acknowledging his personal growth on the ice. Meanwhile, Hellebuyck made 21 saves to earn his 38th win of the season, showcasing remarkable agility as he kept the Rangers from finding the back of the net again.
The Jets welcomed new defenseman Luke Schenn to the lineup, who made his debut for the club. Schenn, acquired during the recent trade deadline, was immediately impactful, recording five hits and five blocked shots over just over 16 minutes of play. He noted, “It was nice to get the first one out of the way... Everyone here welcomed me, and it felt great to get back to playing.”
The intensity and physicality of the match were palpable, with both teams trading hits and making aggressive plays. Even Winnipeg head coach Scott Arniel acknowledged the brutal nature of the contest, stating, “A hard-fought game... at times it felt like both teams were on the attack.” He expressed pride in his team's performance, especially as they worked through the numerous penalties called throughout the match.
The first period was marred by seven whistles before the scoring began. Following Namestnikov’s goal, Zibanejad brought the Rangers level, taking advantage of missed opportunities from the Jets and responding swiftly to the pressure. The Jets’ power play, which had struggled earlier this season, finally delivered as they converted one of their chances to regain the lead.
Despite their efforts to extend the lead, the Jets endured setbacks. A potential goal from Dylan DeMelo was disallowed due to goalie interference after a successful challenge by the Rangers, causing frustration among the Jets and their supporters. The game remained tense right up until the final minutes, with New York pressing hard to equalize again. Eventually, the Jets successfully managed the clock and secured the win.
The triumph added to the Jets’ impressive run, positioning them eight points clear of the Dallas Stars atop the Central Division, though Dallas does hold two games in hand. The two teams are set to clash again this Friday, March 14, as they continue to battle for playoff positions.
Reflecting on the victory, Schenn emphasized the importance of maintaining their winning momentum, stating, “That’s what it’s all about: winning games. We have our eyes set on the playoffs and we need games like this to prepare us.” Perfetti echoed this sentiment about the significance of every game leading to the playoffs. The Jets clearly understand the need to maximize their point haul as the season approaches its climax, with every game intensifying the competition on the ice.