Ehlers Reaches 500 NHL Points as Jets Defeat Utah Hockey Club 5-2

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Nikolaj Ehlers recorded a goal and two assists, including his 500th NHL point, as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Utah Hockey Club 5-2 at Canada Life Centre on Friday. The Jets (33-14-3) extended their strong form, earning points in seven of their last nine games (6-2-1).

Cole Perfetti led the charge with a hat trick, including the game-winning goal at 5:51 of the third period. Ehlers set up Perfetti’s first goal with a cross-ice pass during a power play in the first period, and later sealed the victory with a breakaway goal in the third. Dylan DeMelo contributed two assists, while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 17 saves.

Utah (21-20-7), which entered the game on a three-game winning streak, saw goals from Nick Schmaltz and Barrett Hayton. Clayton Keller added two assists, and Connor Ingram stopped 24 shots in the loss.

The Jets took an early lead when Perfetti scored on a one-timer from the right face-off circle. Utah tied the game early in the second period with a power-play goal from Schmaltz, but Winnipeg regained the lead when David Gustafsson capitalized on a strange bounce off the boards for his first goal of the season.

Hayton tied the game again early in the third period, but Perfetti’s second goal of the night put Winnipeg ahead for good. Ehlers extended the lead with a breakaway goal, and Perfetti completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal in the final minutes.

“It’s a special moment to reach 500 points,” Ehlers said after the game. “But more importantly, we got the win and played a solid game as a team.”

The Jets will look to continue their strong home record (18-5-3) in their next game, while Utah aims to rebound after their winning streak was snapped.