Connor Hellebuyck made 16 saves in his 2025 preseason debut, but the Winnipeg Jets fell 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild in regulation at Grand Casino Arena on Tuesday night.

Winnipeg struck first just 5:24 into the opening frame. A defensive miscue by the Wild left the puck on Cole Koepke’s stick, and he backhanded it through Jesper Wallstedt’s five-hole.

Later in the frame, Matt Boldy slipped past the Jets’ defence and broke out on a breakaway, firing the puck top shelf over Hellebuyck to even the score at 1-1.

Early in the second frame, Logan Stanley fired a point shot off the backboards, which found its way to Alex Iafallo behind the net. Iafallo directed the puck into the blue paint, where Vladislav Namestnikov tapped it in to give the Jets a 2-1 lead.

Just 6:55 into the middle frame, Kirill Kaprizov, fresh off becoming the highest-paid player in NHL history, tipped a Zeev Buium shot past Connor Hellebuyck on the power play, knotting the game at 2-2.

Later in the second period, Minnesota took their first lead of the game. Neal Pionk’s d-to-d pass was intercepted by Marcus Foligno, who raced the other way on a partial shorthanded breakaway and ripped the puck past Hellebuyck’s glove to make it 3-2 Wild.

Jonathan Toews did not finish the second period and did not return for the third. Scott Arniel confirmed that he ”tweaked something,” and they’ll find out what it is when they return to Winnipeg.

In the third period, Vladislav Namestnikov took a dirty hit from behind by Trenin and was slow to get up. Although he appeared to be okay, he went down the tunnel for further assessment.

Injuries mounted on top of a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild, making for a frustrating night in a game that ultimately doesn’t count in the standings.

The Jets will conclude the preseason on Friday when they face the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. CDT, with coverage on TSN3.

Be sure to check back Friday morning for the pre-game article.