Jets Take 4-1 Win Over Panthers, NHL Roundup

By ESPN

Connor Hellebuyck is enjoying the Winnipeg Jets' trip to Florida.

Hellebuyck has recorded back-to-back wins against Tampa Bay and the Florida Panthers after being pulled in a loss to the New York Islanders at home on New Year's Eve.

Hellebuyck had 31 saves and Patrik Laine had a goal and an assist to lead the Jets to a 4-1 victory over the Panthers on Wednesday night.

"It was satisfying, as you can imagine, especially being in the warm weather and having a day off tomorrow," Hellebuyck said. "I think that we're going to enjoy the weather."

Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Shawn Matthias also scored for the Jets. Bryan Little notched two assists as Winnipeg won its second straight after losing two in a row.

"(Hellebuyck) has had our backs these last two games," Little said. "He kept us in it last night in Tampa, gave us a chance to win, and tonight he did the same thing. Every time we had letdowns or they had chances, he shut the door for us and came up big. He looked great."

Hellebuyck didn't allow a goal until late in the second period.

"A real good game and a tough game," Jets coach Paul Maurice said. "Connor was real strong and of course the kid (Laine) scored so everyone's happy."

Greg McKegg scored for the Panthers and Roberto Luongo stopped 35 shots.

Jaromir Jagr recorded his 1,136th assist to pass Paul Coffey for sole possession of fifth place on the NHL's all-time assists list.

The Panthers have lost five of their last six and 11 of 15.

"We started really slow. We were bad in the first (period). We just never got going," Panthers interim coach Tom Rowe said.

Panthers center Seth Griffith left the game in the first period and did not return after a hit to the head by Ehlers, which didn't sit too well with Rowe.

"Seth's got a concussion," Rowe said. "It was a dirty hit by Ehlers. He deliberately did it. I don't care what anybody says. We watched it on video and it was a dirty hit. If the kid's going to play like that in the league, it's going to be a long season for him."

Wednesday, January 4 Scoreboard

Winnipeg 4, Florida 1

New York Rangers 5, Philadelphia 2

Montreal 4, Dallas 3 (OT)

Calgary 4, Colorado 1

Vancouver 3, Arizona 0

Anaheim 2, Detroit 0

Thursday, January 5 Schedule (All Times Central)

Edmonton at Boston, 6 p.m.

Columbus at Washington, 6 p.m.

Nashville at Tampa Bay, 6:30 p.m.

Carolina at St. Louis, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

Detroit at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.

Minnesota at San Jose, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, January 6 Schedule (All Times Central)

Nashville at Florida, 6:30 p.m.

Toronto at New Jersey, 6:30 p.m.

Carolina at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

New York Islanders at Colorado, 8 p.m.

Calgary at Vancouver, 9 p.m.

Arizona at Anaheim, 9 p.m.

Saturday, January 6 Schedule (All Times Central)

Winnipeg at Buffalo, noon

Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, noon

Minnesota at Los Angeles, 3 p.m.

Montreal at Toronto, 6 p.m.

Washington at Ottawa, 6 p.m.

Boston at Florida, 6 p.m.

Edmonton at New Jersey, 6 p.m.

New York Rangers at Columbus, 6 p.m.

Dallas at St. Louis, 7 p.m.

New York Islanders at Arizona, 7 p.m.

Vancouver at Calgary, 9 p.m.

Detroit at San Jose, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 8 Schedule (All Times Central)

Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.

Boston at Carolina, 4 p.m.

Philadelphia at Columbus, 5 p.m.

Edmonton at Ottawa, 6 p.m.

Nashville at Chicago, 6 p.m.

Minnesota at Anaheim, 7 p.m.