ST. PAUL, Minn. (Interstat) — Mark Scheifele had a goal and three assists as the Winnipeg Jets scored three times in each of the first two periods to rout the Minnesota Wild 6-2 on Thursday night. Jonathan Toews scored for the fourth straight game and added an assist. Gabriel Vilardi, Josh Morrissey, Tanner Pearson and Logan Stanley also scored for the Jets, who tied a season high for goals before a crowd of 18,275 at Grand Casino Arena. Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves for Winnipeg. Danila Yurov and Marcus Johansson scored for the Wild, who entered with a 55% win probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system. The Jets improved to 19-27, while Minnesota fell to 26-22.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Interstat) — Mark Scheifele had a goal and three assists, Jonathan Toews scored for the fourth consecutive game and the Winnipeg Jets erupted for six goals in a decisive 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night at Grand Casino Arena. The Jets, who entered the game with the third-fewest points in the NHL, delivered a stunning offensive performance against a Wild team holding a playoff position, tying their season high for goals. Winnipeg scored three times in both the first and second periods to build an insurmountable lead in front of an announced crowd of 18,275. The loss snapped a three-game home winning streak for Minnesota and avenged a pair of Jets losses to the Wild earlier this season, including an overtime defeat on Dec. 27. Winnipeg set the tone early, capitalizing on a power play midway through the first period. With Minnesota’s Marcus Foligno in the box for tripping, Scheifele worked the puck to Gabriel Vilardi, who found Toews for a slap shot that beat goaltender Jesper Wallstedt at the 14:08 mark. The goal extended Toews’ point streak and gave the Jets a lead they would not relinquish. The Jets then struck twice in the final 11 seconds of the opening frame to break the game open. First, Tanner Pearson finished a sharp passing play from Morgan Barron and Dylan DeMelo, wristing a shot past Wallstedt with 11 seconds left. Off the ensuing faceoff, Josh Morrissey collected a pass from Scheifele and blasted a slap shot from the point that found the net with just three seconds remaining, sending Winnipeg to the intermission with a commanding 3-0 advantage. Winnipeg continued its onslaught in the second period. Defenseman Logan Stanley extended the lead to 4-0 with an unassisted slap shot at the 18:33 mark, chasing Wallstedt from the game. Filip Gustavsson entered in relief for Minnesota. The Jets made it 5-0 just over four minutes later. On another power play, Morrissey returned the favor to Scheifele, who set up Vilardi for a wrist shot and Vilardi’s 19th goal of the season at 24:51. Minnesota briefly interrupted the Winnipeg barrage when rookie Danila Yurov snapped a wrist shot past Connor Hellebuyck at 8:53 of the second, assisted by Jake Middleton and Vladimir Tarasenko, to make it 5-1. Any momentum for the home team was short-lived. The Jets responded just over five minutes later to restore the five-goal cushion. Scheifele completed his four-point night by finishing a passing sequence from Alex Iafallo and Kyle Connor, beating Gustavsson with a wrist shot at 34:12 for his 23rd goal of the season. The Wild added a consolation goal in the third period when Marcus Johansson converted a feed from Matt Boldy and Ryan Hartman at 11:18, bringing the final score to 6-2. Hellebuyck was a cornerstone of the victory, making 32 saves on 34 shots to earn the win. His performance was particularly crucial early as the Wild generated several quality chances before the Jets’ offense ignited. Wallstedt took the loss for Minnesota, stopping 16 of 20 shots before being relieved. Gustavsson made 15 saves on 17 shots in mop-up duty. The Jets’ power play, which had struggled for consistency, went 2 for 4, while their penalty kill successfully navigated three Minnesota advantages. The Wild were also hampered by discipline, taking an abuse of officials penalty by Nico Sturm in the second period. Scheifele, the game’s first star, led all players with his four-point effort. Morrissey added a goal and an assist, while Vilardi and Toews each had a goal and a helper. For Minnesota, Johansson’s goal was a bright spot on a night where the team’s top offensive threats were largely held in check by a structured Winnipeg defense. The victory improves Winnipeg’s record to 19-27-0, while Minnesota falls to 26-22-0. The result defied the pregame projections from National Statistical, whose game simulator had predicted a 4-1 Wild victory and whose ELO system gave Minnesota a 55.2 percent probability to win. The Jets will look to build on the win when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Wild, meanwhile, will aim to regroup as they begin a three-game road trip in Buffalo on Saturday.

JETS, WILD MEET IN CENTRAL DIVISION MATCHUP SAINT PAUL, Minn. (Interstat) — The struggling Winnipeg Jets look to build on a rare victory when they visit the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena on Thursday night. The Jets (17-27-0) snapped a five-game skid with a 4-3 win over New Jersey on Sunday. The Wild (26-21-0), holding a playoff position in the Western Conference, aim to rebound after a 5-2 home loss to those same Devils on Monday. Minnesota has dominated the recent series, winning the last two meetings. The Wild earned a 4-3 overtime victory in Winnipeg on Dec. 27 and shut out the Jets 3-0 in Manitoba on Nov. 23. Winnipeg’s last win in the matchup was a 4-3 overtime triumph here on Oct. 28. A key player to watch for the Jets is forward Gabriel Vilardi. He scored a goal on four shots in the win over New Jersey, extending a productive stretch where he has recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last nine games. He had two assists in the Dec. 27 meeting with Minnesota. For the Wild, forward Ryan Hartman brings a physical edge and timely scoring. He scored a goal and delivered three hits in Monday’s loss, and has goals in three of his last five appearances. Winnipeg’s recent uptick includes two wins in its last three outings, though its overall record remains among the league’s poorest. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who made 24 saves in the win over New Jersey, is likely to start. Minnesota has been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses over its past seven games while trying to solidify its standing. The Wild have been strong at home this season, a trend they will need to continue against a divisional foe they have recently handled. The Jets continue a road-heavy portion of their schedule, while the Wild open a brief two-game homestand before embarking on a lengthy Eastern road trip. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.