Mark Scheifele had three assists, Josh Morrissey extended his scoring streak to six games, and the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 on Tuesday.
Adam Lowry and Neal Pionk each scored their first goals of the season, Kyle Connor had a nifty third-period goal to go with an assist, while Logan Stanley capped off the scoring for the Jets (12-7-0) on another third-period tally.
Nino Niederreiter, playing his 200th game for Winnipeg, collected two assists.
Miles Wood of the Blue Jackets beat Eric Comrie on a first-period breakaway, while Zach Werenski got the other goal for the visitors off a third-period snap shot from the slot.
Scheifele (27 points in 19 games) moved to within six points of Nathan MacKinnon’s league-leading 33 points in the win. Tuesday also marked career game No. 898 for Scheifele, who surpassed Blake Wheeler for the most games played in Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise history.
“He’s been a pillar for this organization for a long time,” Connor, Scheifele’s linemate, added. “He leads by example. He’s also a very vocal, caring guy, pushing each other. He bleeds Winnipeg Jet hockey, and he wears his heart on his sleeve out there every time he steps on the ice.
“A pretty cool accomplishment to have that record.”
Scheifele, 32, heard his name called by Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff seventh overall 14 years ago.
The Kitchener, Ont., product has spent each of his career outings with the Jets. In 2023, he signed a seven-year, $59.5 million US contract to remain in Winnipeg through the 2030-31 season.
Now, just two games away from 900 in his career, Scheifele said he hadn’t even caught wind of his achievement before the video message played on the scoreboard at Canada Life Centre.
“I didn’t know either,” he laughed, post-game. “Obviously, it’s pretty cool. I’ve been here for a long time, so I feel old some days. But it’s a tremendous honour.”
The Jets kept forward Kirill Marchenko off the scoreboard, halting his point streak at 12 games. He finished the game at minus-one, with one shot on goal in 16:34 of ice time.
Elvis Merzlikins allowed five goals on 30 Jets shots, while Comrie (4-1-0) made 20 saves for Winnipeg before the 13,847 fans gathered at Canada Life Centre.
Jets: Captain Lowry, forward Cole Perfetti and defenceman Dylan Samberg each made their home debuts Tuesday. Having opened the season on Winnipeg’s injured reserve, all three players suited up in their first games of the season on Winnipeg’s recent six-game road trip.
Blue Jackets: Werenski’s goal at 4:04 of the third period goal was his 400th career NHL point (119 goals, 281 assists in 587 games).
After allowing Columbus back into the game with Werenski’s sixth goal of the season at 4:04 of the third period, Stanley hammered home his third goal just 2:19 later, restoring the Jets’ three-goal lead.
Nine different players picked up points for Winnipeg, including five multi-point outings (Scheifele, Connor, Neiderreiter, Morrissey and Pionk).
Blue Jackets: Visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.
Jets: Host the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday.
