Jets beat ducks in overtime to finish year
RECAP:
The Winnipeg Jets have concluded their franchise-best 2024-25 NHL regular season.
Picking up their 56th win in 82 games, the Jets saw Connor Hellebuyck earn his 47th win of the year (tied for second-most all-time), he earned his second-straight Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed, and will soon get his named carved again on the Vezina Trophy.
Hellebuyck allowed just one goal against the visiting Anaheim Ducks, while his mates got one in regulation and another in extra time to finish off the season with a 2-1 overtime win.
Neal Pionk scored in the middle frame, before Mark Scheifele got the overtime winner on a passing play between he, Josh Morrissey and Kyle Connor.
Winnipeg's final win of the year gave the team a record 116 points and its first Presidents' Trophy.
Now, the attention will shift to St. Louis, to whom the Jets will face in the opening round. Winnipeg will have home-ice advantage, meaning games 1, 2, 5 and 7 would be played at Canada Life Centre. Despite knowing who and where, the when remains up in the air, as the full schedule has yet to be released.
HIGHLIGHTS:
PHOTOS:
The extended photo library from Wednesday's game vs. Anaheim is courtesy of Scott Stroh:
QUOTEABLE:
Neal Pionk on the Blues:
“It will be a fast, physical series. They’ve had a heck of a run after the break there. One of the hottest teams in the league, we gotta be ready to go.”
Cole Perfetti on the playoffs:
“There’s a lot of anticipation. Obviously, this is something we’ve been striving for since training camp. In the second half of the year, it started to feel like a little more real, like we’re going to be there, we’re going to be a top seed, so we’ve been progressing throughout the year. There’s going to be a lot of anticipation, excitement even. I only got one taste of it last year. It was one of the coolest things ever, to play in front of a Whiteout, so I’m excited for last year.
Scott Arniel on the new franchise record for most points:
"Again, amazing accomplishment for these guys to put a season together like that. We've done some really outstanding things this year and when you start day 1, Game 1, you don't anticipate something like this happening. There's been a lot of fantastic things, I can't credit the players enough for what they've done. Just stayed focus, all 82 games. To get it here at the end was special, in front of all our fans."
WHAT’S NEXT:
The Winnipeg Whiteout will return to Winnipeg for all games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the Jets owning home-ice advantage and the ever-popular whiteout street parties returning, all home and away games will feature white-clad fans as Canada Life Centre will also host watch parties during away games this season.
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