For the first time since the 2021-22 regular season, the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Vegas Golden Knights—and they did so in style, shutting them out 4-0. The victory was anchored by a stellar performance from Eric Comrie, who stopped all 26 shots he faced while awaiting the arrival of his first child.

Believe it or not, the Jets hadn’t won a regular-season game at T-Mobile Arena since January 1st, 2022. Their only victory in Vegas since then came in Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, a 5-1 triumph on April 18th. Given their struggles in Sin City, last night’s statement win was long overdue.

A big factor in Winnipeg’s success was their strong start.

“We knew that Vegas has been really good, especially in this building, and we needed a good start more than anything,” Arniel said. “We were a little bit slow coming out of our start in LA, I just thought tonight, all the lines, the D, everybody got running right away and when you can get up a couple goals like that, it certainly makes them change their game a little bit.”

Winnipeg outshot Vegas 11-5 in the opening frame and took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. They kept their foot on the gas in the second period, extending their lead to 3-0 while outshooting the Golden Knights 19-12 through 40 minutes. Vegas pushed back in the third, but Comrie and the Jets’ defence stood tall. Despite being outshot 14-3 in the final frame, Winnipeg preserved the shutout and snapped their losing streak in Vegas.

Eric Comrie picked up his second shutout of the season last night, stopping all 26 shots he faced en route to his ninth win of the year. With the performance, Comrie improved to a 9-9-1 record, sporting a .914 save percentage and a 2.36 goals-against average.

“Coms had a heck of a game. I’m really happy for him to get the shutout, and he really earned that, especially in the third,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry.

Comrie wasn’t tested much in the first two periods, but he stood tall when it mattered most, facing 14 shots in the third. He came up with key stops, including a few on Vegas captain Mark Stone, who showed visible frustration as the Golden Knights failed to solve the Jets’ netminder.

Eric Comrie also spoke after the game about the past couple of days, as his wife is expected to give birth at any moment:

“My wife is due, any day, so I was trying to see if I was playing tonight or not.  I had no idea if I was playing or not tonight. She could give birth any second, so I’d be on a plane back.”

Midway through the Jets’ game, the Dallas Stars defeated the Nashville Predators 5-1, closing the gap in the Central Division standings. That meant Winnipeg needed the win to maintain control of first place.

As of April 4th, the Jets remain atop the Central Division with 108 points and six games left on the schedule. Hot on their heels are the Dallas Stars, who sit at 104 points with a game in hand. With both teams neck and neck, every point down the stretch will carry weight. Given Dallas’ more favorable schedule, Winnipeg may need to win out if they hope to lock down the top seed and avoid a first-round clash with the Central’s third-place team—likely the Colorado Avalanche.

The Jets now head to Utah to take on the Hockey Club on Saturday night, wrapping up a three-game road trip. The game will be available on SNW, and puck drop will be at 6:00 p.m. CT.