ST. PAUL, Minn. — Vladislav Namestnikov had a goal and two assists, linemate Alex Iafallo a goal and an assist, and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2 on Saturday.
Kyle Connor and Morgan Barron also scored, and Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves for Winnipeg in the opener of a four-game trip.
The Jets, who clinched a playoff berth Thursday, are two points behind Colorado for second place in the Central Division. Each team has five games remaining including against each other April 13 in Denver.
“This is where you want to be at this time of the year, in the hunt, trying to claw away some points from the teams above you and try and take their place. It’s going to be fun,” Barron said.
Kirill Kaprizov scored twice and Mats Zuccarello had two assists for the Wild who are all but officially eliminated from playoff contention. Minnesota is 10 points behind Los Angeles for the second Western Conference wild card with six games remaining. The Kings host Vancouver later Saturday.
“It’s always tough. It’s not fun. Just finish season early after regular season. It’s where we are now,” Kaprizov said. “Take some learnings and keep going next season and this year a couple games we still have.”
Winnipeg won all four games against Minnesota this season and improved to 17-5-1 against Central Division foes, Minnesota is 8-13-3 in the division.
Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor, front right, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Saturday, April 6, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. Credit: AP/Abbie Parr
“If we can sweep them, great. We’ll take the two points against anybody,” Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said.
With 6:23 left in the second period, Iafallo redirected a slap shot from Brenden Dillon for a 3-2 Winnipeg lead.
The Jets improved to 34-1-1 when leading after two periods.
Behind a Wild defenseman and immediately in front of goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, Barron scored an insurance…
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