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Vilardi shines as Jets extend streak to 8, reclaim top spot in NHL ▶️

Mark Scheifele (55) and Gabe Vilardi (13) celebrate Vilardi’s second goal of the night on Friday in Winnipeg. Vilardi finished the night with two goals and surpassed the 50-point mark in a season for the first time in his career. (Winnipeg Jets/Facebook)

The Winnipeg Jets continued their hot streak with a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders at Canada Life Centre on Saturday night, marking their eighth consecutive victory.

Vilardi leads the charge

Gabe Vilardi led the way for the Jets (39-14-3) with two goals, reaching a new career high with 24 on the season while eclipsing the 50-point mark for the first time.

Nikolaj Ehlers and Alex Iafallo also found the back of the net, while Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each recorded two assists.

Connor Hellebuyck was once again solid between the pipes, making 32 saves, including 18 in the third period, to help secure the win. With the victory, the Jets now sit alone atop the NHL standings with 81 points.

Fast start and back-and-forth battle

The Islanders (25-22-7), who had won eight of their last nine games (8-1-0), struck first just 1:05 into the game when Simon Holmstrom finished off a 3-on-1 rush.

However, the Jets responded quickly, with Iafallo tying the game at 4:27 while fighting off a check on the rush.

Marc Gatcomb restored New York’s lead at 12:07, pouncing on a loose puck to make it 2-1. The Jets, though, turned the game around in the second period.

Vilardi’s first of the night came at 4:23 of the middle frame off a feed from Connor, tying the game once again.

Ehlers then gave Winnipeg its first lead of the night at 14:50, converting a pass from Cole Perfetti.

Vilardi struck again at 18:18, finishing off a one-timer from Scheifele to extend the lead to 4-2.

Islanders push back, but Jets hold on

The Islanders refused to go quietly, as Kyle Palmieri cut the deficit to 4-3 at 11:07 of the third period, burying a rebound past Hellebuyck. Despite a late push from New York, Winnipeg held strong to secure the win.

Ilya Sorokin made 23 saves in the loss, snapping his personal seven-game winning streak. The defeat was his first since Jan. 16.

The Jets went 0-2 on the power play, while they killed all three penalties against them.

Milestones and upcoming break

Hellebuyck’s victory marked his 176th career home win, tying Mike Richter for the fifth-most by an American-born goaltender.

Connor, who assisted on Vilardi’s first goal, now leads the Jets with 69 points (30 goals, 39 assists) this season.

The Jets will now have an extended break as the NHL pauses for the Four Nations Face-Off from Feb. 12-20. Winnipeg is back in action on Feb. 22. Hellebuyck and Connor will represent Team U.S.A. in the tournament, while Josh Morrissey will suit up for Canada.