The Winnipeg Jets have officially locked up the top spot in the West.
With a 5-4 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, the Jets clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference while simultaneously securing the top spot in the Central Division for the first time in franchise history.
The Jets are now 55-21-4 — their most wins in ever — and with 114 points, remain the favourites to take home the Presidents’ Trophy at the end of the year.
It took a bit of resiliency for Winnipeg to pull out the victory as a pair of second-period goals from Nino Niederreiter and Kyle Connor erased a 2-0 deficit. The Jets then had to rally once more, however, as third-period goals from the Blackhawks’ Ryan Donato and Frank Nazar put Chicago back up 4-3.
Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey would go on to even things up with his second goal of the night before Cole Perfetti lifted the team to its third consecutive victory with his shootout winner.
It’s the latest milestone in a franchise-best campaign for the Jets. Winnipeg became the first Canadian team to clinch a playoff berth this season with an OT win over Washington over two weeks ago, back on March 25.
The Jets return to action on Sunday for a road tilt against the Edmonton Oilers.
