SALT LAKE CITY — In a surprising turn of events, the Winnipeg Jets, who currently lead the NHL standings, fell to the Utah Hockey Club 4-1 on Saturday night. The game, held at the Delta Center, showcased Utah's resilience and offensive prowess, led by standout performances from Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton, each contributing a goal and an assist.
Utah opened the scoring just 4:24 into the first period with Keller's power-play goal, marking his 26th of the season. Keller redirected a cross-ice pass from Hayton past Jets' goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, setting the tone for the match. Just 57 seconds into the second period, Hayton doubled the lead, again utilizing the power play, backhanding the puck past Hellebuyck after receiving a pass from Dylan Guenther. This goal not only highlighted Hayton's skill but also tied his career-high of 19 goals, matching his previous record set during the 2022-23 season.
Utah continued to dominate as Kevin Stenlund extended their lead to 3-0 with a clean shot from the top of the right circle, making it a challenging night for the Jets. Despite their efforts, Winnipeg struggled to find their rhythm early, recording only seven shots in the first period. The Jets finally found the back of the net in the third period when Mark Scheifele scored a power-play goal at 2:45, marking his 38th goal of the season. This goal was particularly significant as it also marked Scheifele's 800th career point, making him only the second player in franchise history to reach this milestone, trailing only Blake Wheeler, who has 812 points.
Despite Scheifele's efforts, the Jets' comeback was thwarted by Nick Bjugstad, who sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 2:41 left on the clock, bringing his season total to six goals. Jets' goaltender Hellebuyck faced a tough night, making 24 saves but allowing three goals on 27 shots before being replaced in the final minutes. His counterpart, Karel Vejmelka, was a brick wall, stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced, earning his third win in four games and improving his season record to 24-21-7.
With this loss, the Jets remain four points ahead of the Dallas Stars in the Central Division, who also lost their game today. However, the Stars have a game in hand, keeping the pressure on Winnipeg as the playoffs approach. The Jets will look to bounce back quickly as they prepare to face the St. Louis Blues on Monday, April 7, 2025. The Blues are currently on a remarkable 12-game winning streak, making this matchup even more crucial for the Jets to regain their momentum.
As the season progresses, the Jets' depth will be tested further, especially without key players like Gabriel Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers, who were missed in this matchup. The team will need to find ways to create quality offensive opportunities if they hope to maintain their position at the top of the standings.
In summary, while the Jets have had a strong season overall, this game against Utah highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in their power-play execution and offensive consistency. With the playoffs looming, every game counts, and the Jets will be eager to turn the page and focus on their upcoming challenges.
