WINNIPEG — Blake Wheeler snapped a 21-game scoring streak and had an assist as the Winnipeg Jets produced a rare offensive performance in a 6-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday.
The Jets entered the game having scored three goals or less in nine straight games, including three shutouts.
Mark Schaefe, Kyle Connor, Dylan DeMello and Nikolai Ehlers also had a goal and an assist for Winnipeg, which snapped a two-game losing streak and won its fourth in its last nine games (4-5-0).
Winnipeg’s other goal was scored by Nino Niederreiter. Mason Appleton and Vladislav Namestnikov both had an assist.
Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 shots for the Jets (42-31-3), who began a season-high five-game homestand as they try to stay out of the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.
David Perrone and Joe Veleno scored third-period goals for the Red Wings (33-33-9), who were coming off a 3-2 home win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.
Magnus Helberg made 23 saves for Detroit, which began a three-game road trip.
Winnipeg led 3-0 after the first period and 5-0 after the second period.
Connor turned it around when he got his stick out in front of the net and redirected Brenden Dillon’s shot into the net at 6:56 of the opening period.
Five minutes later, Wheeler scored his 16th goal of the season when he found the back of the net and used a pass from Ehlers to beat Helberg.
Scheiffe scored her team-leading 39th goal of the season at 13:34, a career-best.
DeMelo’s goal at 1:20 of the second period was his fifth of the season and his 23rd point, both career highs.
Niederreiter scored with 6:18 left in the half. DeMelo had an assist.
At 5:07 of the third, Ehlers made it 6-0 with a shot inside the post.
Detroit avoided a shutout when Perron scored on the power play at 10:41, followed by Veleno’s goal 21 seconds later.
SLUMP BUSTERS:
Jets head coach Rick Bowness has been preaching the offense lately and changed his starting line for the game in an attempt to provoke some effective shots.
Scheifele moved from his central spot to the right wing, with Pierre-Luc Dubois in the middle and Connor on the left.
Scheiffe then scored his first goal in 10 games, while Connor recorded his third goal in his last 19 games.
The last time Winnipeg scored more than three goals was March 11 in a 5-4 overtime win against the Florida Panthers.
NEXT
Jets. Host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night.
Red Wings. Travel to Toronto to play the Maple Leafs on Sunday night.
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