The flying Dane, as endeared Jets fans have dubbed him, played a heck of a game, scoring two first period goals and earning the trick early into the second frame.
“I couldn’t have done it without the other guys of course, but it feels good,” Ehlers said. “[Instant chemistry] is tough to find [referring to his new linemates Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele], and it doesn’t happen much.”
“He’s been good all year. It’s not easy to make that step coming into the NHL, but he’s played well, great for him,” said Dustin Byfuglien.
Nikolaj Ehlers is now the fourth rookie in the 2015/16 season to score a hat trick, joining Max Domi, Sam Bennett.
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=939806&site=jets
With the win, the Jets (22-24-30) ended a three-game losing streak. They are still in last place in the NHL’s Central Division, but on the bright side are heading into the All-Star break on a positive note.
“We get to go feeling good,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “We get some guys who have some confidence back in their games. You need to have that good feeling.”
Dustin Byfuglien had a pair of his own goals last night, including a dandy of a goal scored shorthanded on a breakaway during a Coyotes 5-on-3 powerplay. The big man will be carrying confidence with him as he is the lone Jet to compete in the All Star festivities for the Central Division squad.
“My family and I are looking forward to it, the whole thing. I think y daughter will enjoy it most, there’s a lot of kid’s things happening. It’s going to be fun,” said Byfuglien.
The Jets will enjoy the time off to regroup and rest over the break and will be facing off against the Dallas Stars on February 2 with hopes to play as solid of a game that they did last night. Winnipeg currently is eight points back of the Colorado Avalanche for the eight seed in the Western Conference.
Brad Richardson and Anthony Duclair scored Arizona’s two goals in the game. Arizona’s loss snaps their two game winning streak and they currently sit third in the Pacific Division.
1ST PERIOD | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
06:55 | WPG | PPG – Nikolaj Ehlers (10) ASST: Dustin Byfuglien (15), Blake Wheeler (33) | 1 – 0 WPG | |
13:53 | WPG | Nikolaj Ehlers (11) ASST: Blake Wheeler (34), Mark Scheifele (12) | 2 – 0 WPG | |
2ND PERIOD | ||||
06:00 | WPG | Dustin Byfuglien (13) ASST: Chris Thorburn (3) | 3 – 0 WPG | |
14:31 | WPG | Nikolaj Ehlers (12) ASST: Blake Wheeler (35) | 4 – 0 WPG | |
15:40 | ARI | Brad Richardson (5) ASST: Jordan Martinook (11) | 4 – 1 WPG | |
17:43 | WPG | SHG – Dustin Byfuglien (14) ASST: Tyler Myers (14) | 5 – 1 WPG | |
3RD PERIOD | ||||
19:43 | ARI | Anthony Duclair (13) ASST: Martin Hanzal (17) | 5 – 2 WPG |
Three Stars of the Game
- Nikolaj Ehlers (3 goals)
- Dustin Byfuglien (2 goals, 1 assist)
- Blake Wheeler (3 assists)