Winnipeg Jets at San Jose Sharks

· National Hockey League

Winnipeg Jets

24-9-4

Final
2 - 1

San Jose Sharks

9-27-3

Jets beat Sharks 2-1 to extend points streak to franchise-record 10 games

Winnipeg Jets vs. San Jose Sharks: Full Highlights

“It’s fun,” Vilardi said. “It’s fun to play hockey. It’s fun when you win. Obviously, anyone can say that, but we have belief in each other and play for each other. We’ve got to keep going.”

NHL-worst San Jose has lost 10 straight to fall to 9-27-3. The Sharks began the season with 11 consecutive losses. Winnipeg has won four in a row to improve to 24-9-4.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to find ways to win,” Sharks center Luke Kunin said. “It’s frustrating right now. Guys are working, trying to get out of this and the only way out is to just keep your head down and get to work. Just learning from it.”

Morgan Barron also scored Winnipeg, which has allowed three or fewer goals in a franchise-record 27 straight games. The Jets lead the NHL with 33 such games this season.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game,” Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon said. “Obviously, they’re desperate with the way the last nine games had gone for them. Happy to get out of here with a big win.”

Alexander Barabanov scored for San Jose, which hasn’t recorded a point since beating the Jets 2-1 on Dec. 12.

Hellebuyck, named to his fourth All-Star Game earlier Thursday, improved to 19-6-3.

Barabanov opened the scoring midway through the second period. Winnipeg tied it 1:22 later when Barron redirected Neal Pionk’s shot past Mackenzie Blackwood.

Vilardi broke the tie early in the third on the power play, scoring his eighth goal of the season.

“That’s one of the best power plays I’ve seen us have all year,” Jets coach Rick Bowness said. “The puck was moving around. I loved that power play tonight.”

Blackwood stopped 28 shots.

Before the game, the Sharks announced that defenseman Matt Benning underwent hip surgery that is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season. The 29-year-old had two assists in 14 games before sustaining the injury Dec. 3 against the New York Rangers.

UP NEXT

Jets: At Anaheim on Friday night.

Sharks: Host Toronto on Saturday night.

Regular Season Series

Series tied 1-1

Scoring Summary

Goal	2nd Period 10:26	Alexander Barabanov Goal (3) Wrist Shot, assists: William Eklund (10), Ty Emberson (5)
Goal	2nd Period 11:48	Morgan Barron Goal (8) Deflected, assists: Neal Pionk (12), Brenden Dillon (8)
Goal	3rd Period 3:14	Gabriel Vilardi Goal (8) Tip-In, assists: Nikolaj Ehlers (16), Mark Scheifele (25)

Statistics

WPG		SJ
16	Blocked Shots	17
16	Hits	8
6	Takeaways	3
30	Shots	28
1	Power Play Goals	0
1	Power Play Opportunities	2
100.0	Power Play Percentage	0.0
0	Short Handed Goals	0
0	Shootout Goals	0
14	Faceoffs Won	32
30.4	Faceoff Win Percent	69.6
8	Giveaways	6
2	Total Penalties	1
4	Penalty Minutes	2

San Jose Sharks Injuries

NAME, POS	STATUS	DATE
Timothy Liljegren, D	Day-To-Day	Dec 27
Will Smith, C	Injured Reserve	Dec 22
Michael Misa, C	Out	Dec 17
Philipp Kurashev, C	Injured Reserve	Dec 16
Vincent Desharnais, D	Injured Reserve	Dec 9