Connor Hellebuyck turned away 24 shots, and both Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele scored their 29th goals of the season to put them into second place in the goal-scoring race during the Winnipeg Jets' 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Cole Perfetti scored three goals for his first NHL hat trick and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Utah Hockey Club 5-2 on Friday night. Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and two assists to reach 500 points for his career, and David Gustafsson also scored for Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck had 17 saves.

Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and two assists to reach 500 points for his career, and David Gustafsson also scored for Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck had 17 saves.

Cole Perfetti had a hat-trick and Nikolaj Ehlers had three points of his own, including his 500th career point, as the Winnipeg Jets (33-14-3) took care of business at home, beating the Utah Hockey Club (21-20-7) 5-2 on Friday night.

David Gustafsson had the other goal for Winnipeg and Connor Hellebuyck recorded his 30 th win of the ... it took Winnipeg 48 seconds to score. Nikolaj Ehlers spotted Cole Perfetti wide open on the right side and Perfetti one-timed it past Connor Ingram ...

Stylistically, the Jets expect a bit of a shift from their two opponents from the home stand in Utah and Calgary. Utah is a team among the National Hockey League’s best in terms of minimizing high-danger chances against (according to Natural Stat Trick), and the game against Calgary was tight right until the Jets broke it open in the third.

How are the Jets avoiding their annual second-half tailspin? Plus Cole Perfetti explains the 'how' of his battle-winning and more.

The Winnipeg Jets are among the top teams in the NHL this season. With the best goaltender in the league and a deep roster, the team is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. The pressure of converting on a championship worthy roster is an every year occurrence,

Forget about what Kyle Connor’s next extension could look like, if the Jets should re-sign Neal Pionk, or if there’s any way they can make Nikolaj Ehlers stay. It’s time to think about about Dylan Samberg’s next contract.

Three goals ended Utah’s three-game winning streak. Cole Perfetti scored his first NHL hat trick, including the go-ahead goal, for the Winnipeg Jets in a 5-2 win

Cole Perfetti notched his first career hat trick to lead the Winnipeg Jets past the visiting Utah Hockey Club 5-2 on Friday night.

Cole Perfetti notched his first career hat trick to lead the Winnipeg Jets past the visiting Utah Hockey Club 5-2 on Friday night. Nikolaj Ehlers reached 500 career points with a goal and two assists for the Jets,