National Hockey League
Winnipeg 4, NY Islanders 3
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, February 7, 2025
Where: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Referees: Stephen Hiff, Chris Lee
Linesmen: Shandor Alphonso, Caleb Apperson
Attendance: 14685

Gabriel Vilardi scored two goals and Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves as the Winnipeg Jets ran their winning streak to eight games with a 4-3 victory over the visiting New York Islanders on Friday.

The eight-game run matches the longest winning streak in franchise history, dating back to the 1999-2000 Atlanta Thrashers. Two of the Jets' four all-time eight-game winning streaks have come this season, as Winnipeg also went 8-0-0 in its first eight games.

Alex Iafallo and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the Jets. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each had two assists.

Hellebuyck stopped 32 of 35 shots to earn his league-leading 34th win. The star goaltender was particularly sharp down the stretch, making 18 saves in the third period.

Simon Holmstrom, Marc Gatcomb and Kyle Palmieri scored for the Islanders, who lost for only the second time in their last 10 games (8-2-0).

Ilya Sorokin stopped 23 of 27 shots.

New York led 2-1 after the first period, as the Islanders were helped by a pair of Jets turnovers. Holmstrom converted on a three-on-one rush just 1:05 into the game, and Gatcomb took advantage of a poor clearance attempt to score at the 12:07 mark.

In between the Islanders' goals, Iafallo delivered a big individual effort at 4:27 of the first frame. He took the puck behind his own blue line, forced his way past Bo Horvat while rushing down the ice, then beat Sorokin with a wrist shot.

Winnipeg took command with three goals in the second period, all on great passing plays. Connor started things at the 4:23 mark with a pass that found Vilardi streaking toward the net for the equalizer.

At 14:50 of the second frame, Cole Perfetti's spectacular backhanded pass from behind New York's net found Ehlers in front for the Jets' first lead of the game.

Vilardi displayed both his passing and finishing ability on a tic-tac-toe sequence with Scheifele 18:18 into the second period. It was Vilardi's 24th goal, setting a personal best for the forward over six NHL seasons.

Palmieri deposited a rebound 11:07 into the third period. That was as close as the Islanders would get, despite outshooting the Jets 19-6 in the final frame and having three power plays.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
NY Islanders   Winnipeg
Marc Gatcomb 1 Points Gabriel Vilardi 2
Marc Gatcomb 1 Goals Gabriel Vilardi 2
Anders Lee 1 Assists Kyle Connor 2
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Ilya Sorokin .852 Save Percentage Connor Hellebuyck .914
Ilya Sorokin 23 Saves Connor Hellebuyck 32
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
NY Islanders 35 3 0-3 2-2 4 28
Winnipeg 27 4 0-2 3-3 6 22
Upcoming Games
  • Winnipeg will play their next game on the road against St. Louis. The Jets have a W/L % of .744 after a win and .588 after a loss.
  • NY Islanders will play their next game on the road against Minnesota. The Islanders have a W/L % of .385 after a win and .536 after a loss.