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Jets embarrassed 5-1 by Canadiens
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Photo credit: © James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Evan Waldner
Feb 5, 2026, 01:06 EST
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Coming off a frustrating 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Monday night, the Winnipeg Jets were looking to head into the Olympic break on a high note in their final game Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens. However, after a relatively dominant first period, things fell apart quickly.
Kyle Connor opened the scoring 6:07 into the first period on the power play, finishing a Gabriel Vilardi feed with a one-timer from the right circle. The goal marked Connor’s 25th of the season, the ninth consecutive year he’s reached that mark.
Oliver Kapanen tied the game 1-1 at 16:26, collecting a rebound off Noah Dobson’s point shot and putting it past Connor Hellebuyck for his 18th of the season.
Josh Anderson gave Montreal its first lead of the night 5:28 into the second period, tipping Jayden Struble’s point shot past Hellebuyck for his 12th of the campaign.
Just over a minute later, the Canadiens made it 3-1 at 6:44 when Lane Hutson took Anderson’s backhand pass in alone and lifted it off the post and over Hellebuyck’s shoulder for the youngster’s 10th.
Brendan Gallagher extended the lead to 4-1 on the power play at 10:57 of the third period. Zach Bolduc’s backhand pass down low found Kirby Dach, who set Gallagher up for a chip-in at the edge of the Jets’ crease.
Phillip Danault capped the scoring with an empty-net goal with 14 seconds remaining, making it 5-1 with his third of the season and effectively putting the game, and any lingering Jets playoff hopes, to bed.
Hellebuyck made 22 saves as Winnipeg fell to 22-26-8. After all games wrapped up Wednesday night, the Jets remain 11 points out of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Their odds of making the playoffs appear virtually nonexistent heading into the break.