Scheifele’s hat trick propels Winnipeg Jets to 6-3 win over Panthers – Winnipeg

After suffering back-to-back losses for the first time all season, the Winnipeg Jets bounced back with a 6-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, improving their record to 16-3.

Mark Scheifele scored a hat trick as the Jets avenged their previous loss to the Panthers, showcasing their resilience and character as a team.

“We didn’t like the way we played in Florida,” said Scheifele. “It’s just a sign of a lot of good character in this room that we wanted to bounce back. We wanted to have a good game in front of our home crowd before we go on the road, for feels like forever. So, it was just a great all-around effort by everyone.”

Scheifele’s performance extended his home point streak to 10 games, just one game shy of the franchise record held by Kyle Connor.

The Jets took a three-goal lead in the second period, but the Panthers fought back to narrow the gap. However, Morgan Barron scored two empty-net goals to secure the win and end the Jets’ two-game losing streak.

The Jets are now 12-0 this season when leading after two periods.

“It’s huge for us to be able to close out those games,” said Barron. “And it’s something we’re still going to continue to learn to do and hopefully it doesn’t get to that point, but a lot of guys stepped up.”

The Panthers hit the post/crossbar three times in the final period.

Five Jets players had multi-point nights in the win, with Barron recording his first career multi-goal game and Scheifele netting his ninth career hat trick.

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“I just thought our battle level went way up tonight throughout,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel said. “We knew it was going to have to be that way. They’re a heavy team and they play hard and they come at you. I thought we did a fantastic job of turning the tide and going and playing our game and getting out and after them.”

The Jets improved to 9-1 on home ice this season in front of their third sellout crowd of the campaign.

The game remained scoreless in the first period until Kyle Connor broke the deadlock with his 12th goal of the season.

Winnipeg extended their lead in the second period, with Scheifele scoring his second goal of the night.

The Jets capitalized on a power play opportunity to make it 3-0, with Scheifele completing his hat trick.

Before the period ended, Florida managed to get on the board with a fortunate deflection goal.

Winnipeg outshot Florida in the second period and maintained a slight edge going into the third.

Both teams hit the post early in the third period, but the Panthers scored on a power play to make it 3-2.

Winnipeg responded quickly with another goal, securing the win and ending the Panthers’ comeback hopes.

Florida pulled their goalie in a late attempt to stage a comeback, but Barron scored two empty-net goals to seal the victory for the Jets.

Connor Hellebuyck made 20 saves in goal for Winnipeg as they now prepare for a six-game road trip starting Friday in Pittsburgh.

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