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Jets dominate Capitals 5-1 in Hellebuyck’s return
Photo credit: © James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
By Evan Waldner
Dec 14, 2025, 01:12 ESTUpdated: Dec 14, 2025, 01:38 EST
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When we found out that Connor Hellebuyck would be starting in goal tonight against the Washington Capitals, I was worried. For one, he was returning just three weeks after surgery with an original timeline of 4-6 weeks. Secondly, the Jets had been playing some terrible hockey leading into the game, and my assumption was that he was being fed to the wolves. I, and many others, were very wrong, as the Jets played arguably their best game of the season, steamrolling the Capitals 5-1.
Tonight wasn’t just special because the MVP was back in the crease. It also marked Nino Niederreiter’s 1000th NHL game, an incredible milestone and a piece of Swiss history, as he became the first Swiss-born player to reach the mark. Prior to puck drop, Kevin Cheveldayoff honoured Niederreiter with a silver stick for the achievement, making him the fifth player in franchise history to receive one.
Now, onto the game.
The Jets opened the scoring 9:13 into the first period when Logan Stanley quite literally batted in a Josh Morrissey shot that bounced off the boards and into the slot. It was a wild way to score his fifth goal of the season, especially for a defenceman having a breakout year and parked in front of the net like a forward. Morrissey earned his 400th career point with the primary assist on the goal.
Logan Stanley (5) opens the scoring for the #NHLJets 9:13 into the first period! 🎥 - SN | #NHLJetsNation
Morgan Barron added his fifth goal, and second in as many games, at 18:43. Adam Lowry fed Barron as he drove the net, and Barron backhanded the puck through the legs of Logan Thompson to give Winnipeg a 2-0 lead.
Morgan Barron (5) gives the #NHLJets a 2-0 lead 18:43 into the first period! 🎥 - SN | #NHLJetsNation
In the second, Alex Iafallo extended the advantage to 3-0 with his sixth goal of the season at 3:39, his second in as many games. His shot from along the side wall deflected off a Capitals defenceman’s skate and in, a Friendly Manitoba bounce.
Alex Iafallo (6) gives the #NHLJets a 3-0 lead 3:39 into the second period! 🎥 - SN | #NHLJetsNation
With exactly 6.6 seconds left in the period, the Jets converted on the power play as Gabriel Vilardi buried his 15th of the season off a beautiful passing sequence where every Jet on the ice touched the puck. Cole Perfetti fed Mark Scheifele, who quickly moved it up to Josh Morrissey at the blue line. Morrissey found Kyle Connor on the right faceoff dot, and after faking a one-timer, Connor slipped a slap pass to Vilardi alone in front for a highlight-reel finish. Winnipeg carried a 4-0 lead into the second intermission.
Gabriel Vilardi (15) finishes off an impressive passing play on the power play with 6.6 seconds left in the second period to give the #NHLJets a 4-0 lead. 🎥 - SN | #NHLJetsNation
Vilardi wasn’t done. He struck again at 11:55 of the third period, finishing off a tic-tac-toe play with Scheifele and Connor to cap off another bit of magic from the trio.
Gabriel Vilard (16) scores his second of the game 11:55 into the third period to give the #NHLJets a 5-0 lead. 🎥 - SN | #NHLJetsNation
Jakob Chychrun spoiled Hellebuyck’s shutout bid at 16:32 on a 5-on-3 power play. Despite allowing the lone goal, the Jets went 4-for-5 on the penalty kill, a significant improvement from recent weeks.
Hellebuyck turned aside 24 shots as the Jets cruised to a 5-1 win, improving to 15-15-1 and climbing back to .500 with a much-needed victory.
Niederreiter logged 15:45 of ice time, finished +1, and recorded two hits on a night he’ll never forget. He reflected on the pre-game ceremony following the game.
“I mean, it was amazing. It was something I will never forget,” said Niederreiter. “Always, like I said, as a little boy, you dream about moments like this, and to top it off with a win like that, it was amazing.”
The Jets were clicking throughout the lineup, with all four lines and defensive pairings fully engaged in a close to complete 60-minute effort. Head coach Scott Arniel agreed.
“Yeah, for sure it was. It was 20 guys,” said Arniel. “That was complete, throughout the lineup. All four lines looked a lot alike. The D were real solid. Obviously Helle was good when he had to be, but you’re right, that was one of the best, most complete games of the year.”
The Jets close out their four-game homestand on Monday when the Ottawa Senators visit Canada Life Centre for an all-Canadian matchup. Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m. on Amazon Prime.