Cole Perfetti recorded his first career hat trick, and Nikolaj Ehlers notched his 500th NHL point in the Jets’ 5-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Friday, Jan. 24.

Late in the opening frame, Perfetti opened the scoring for the Jets on the power play, ending his 14-game scoreless drought. Ehlers fed Perfetti on the right side for a one-timer that beat Utah goaltender Connor Ingram. Perfetti’s 8th of the season was assisted by Ehlers (27) and Alex Iafallo (23).

Winnipeg closed out 20 minutes up 1-0 and they outshot Utah 10-5.

Utah responded quickly, tying the game 1-1 just 1:13 into the second period. Nick Schmaltz, who’s been on a heater lately, deflected a shot from Michael Kesselring that slipped through Connor Hellebuyck’s five-hole. That’s Schmaltz’s 10th of the season. Kesselring (14) and Clayton Keller (35) picked up the assists.

David Gustafsson was gifted an open cage and made no mistake, scoring his first goal of the season at 11:12. Dylan DeMelo dumped the puck into the Utah zone, and while Ingram came out to play it, the puck took an awkward bounce off the boards, landing right in front of Gustafsson. With just the empty net to shoot at, he capitalized. DeMelo earned the well-deserved assist (8).

Once again, the Jets ended the period with a one-goal lead, outshooting Utah 21-14.

Utah answered quickly to start the period. At 1:19, Barrett Hayton sniped a shot blocker side on Hellebuyck for his 12th of the season, tying the game 2-2. John Marino (2) and Clayton Keller (36) provided the assists.

Cole Perfetti found the back of the net again at 5:51, marking his second of the night and ninth of the season. DeMelo fired a shot on goal, and while Ingram made the save, the rebound bounced to Vladislav Namestnikov. Namestnikov quickly fed Perfetti, who made no mistake in putting it home to make it 3-2.

The Jets doubled their lead at 12:16 when Ehlers broke away on a breakaway and backhanded the puck past Ingram for his 15th goal of the season.

Utah pulled their goalie in an attempt to tie the game, but Cole Perfetti sealed the win with his first career NHL hat trick, making it 5-2. Nikolaj Ehlers (28) and Neal Pionk (25) registered the assists. With his assist, Ehlers reached a career milestone, now sitting at 500 points in the NHL.

The win extends the Jets’ winning streak to two games and brings them to 69 points, just two behind the Washington Capitals (71) for first place in the NHL standings.

The Jets proved once again that they can win without their top line producing, as tonight was one of those nights where Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Gabriel Vilardi were held off the scoresheet. Instead, the second and fourth lines stepped up. This not only serves as a wake-up call for the Jets’ top line, but it’s also a positive sign that other lines can contribute. Scoring depth is crucial in this league, especially come playoff time. You’re going to need those “greasy” goals, and tonight, Perfetti, Ehlers, and Gustafsson delivered.

The Jets will face off against the Flames again on Sunday at Canada Life Centre. Puck drop is at 5:00 p.m. CT, and the game will be available to watch on TSN3.

Make sure to check out the pre-game report and the post-game article after the game.