Source : The Canadian Press
In Winnipeg, Nikita Chibrikov's NHL debut left a lasting mark as the Jets closed their regular season with a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Chibrikov, making his first appearance in the league, clinched the game-winning goal, while Cole Perfetti added two goals to secure the victory for the Jets.
"It's like the dream, which you start from the first steps on the ice and live with this every day," expressed Chibrikov, who received the call-up from the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose earlier in the day.
The triumph was significant for Winnipeg, as they capped off the regular season by conceding the fewest goals in the NHL, a total of 199, earning them the league’s William M. Jennings Trophy for the first time. Jets head coach Rick Bowness credited the players for their commitment and effort on the ice, leading to this achievement.
Moreover, the Jets extended their winning streak to eight games, matching a franchise record set earlier in the season, with a total of 52 victories (52-24-6), equalling another franchise record set by the 2017-18 squad. Their 110 points, the highest among Canadian teams this season, secured them second place in the Western Conference, granting them home-ice advantage in the playoffs against teams other than the Dallas Stars.
Gabe Vilardi also contributed a goal for the Jets, who emerged victorious in the season series against the Canucks with a 2-1 scoreline. Laurent Brossoit made 18 saves in net, clinching his 15th win of the season.
For the Canucks, Conor Garland and Elias Lindholm found the net, with Thatcher Demko making 22 saves in his second consecutive start after returning from a knee injury.
Both teams opted to rest key players in preparation for the upcoming NHL playoffs. Winnipeg will face the Colorado Avalanche, while Vancouver will take on the Nashville Predators, with both series commencing on Sunday.
Despite the loss, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet remained optimistic, focusing on the upcoming playoff challenge.
The absence of top-line players like Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, and Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets, and J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser for the Canucks, didn't diminish the intensity of the game. The match remained tied at 1-1 after the first period and 2-2 heading into the third.
Notably, Jets forward Sean Monahan made NHL history by participating in his 83rd game of the season, the only player in the league to achieve this feat. Acquired in a trade with Montreal, Monahan's consistent presence on the ice showcased his durability throughout the season.
In addition to Chibrikov, Winnipeg introduced forward Brad Lambert to the NHL, marking his debut alongside goalie Collin Delia, who served as the backup to Brossoit. Lambert contributed an assist on Vilardi's goal, marking his first point in the league.
