WINNIPEG – Kevin Hayes scored on a power play in the final minutes of the game to give his New York Rangers a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre on Thursday.
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Hayes’ game-winning goal came with 1:09 left to play in the third period. New York was handed a man advantage when Jets forward Drew Stafford was penalized for a high stick.
“That was one where we felt like two points were taken away from us,” said Stafford. “It was just unfortunate for it to end like that.”
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New York’s Chris Kreider opened the scoring 8:02 into the first period with a power play goal. Kreider, from the top of the crease, swept in a Derek Stepan pass for his seventh of the season.
The Jets replied mid-way through the second as Mark Scheifele burried a rebound in his return to Winnipeg’s lineup. Scheifele missed the previous three games with a lower-body injury. Dustin Byfuglien picked up an assist on the goal to extend his point streak to six straight games.
“I give them credit,” said Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault. “In the second period, they had a really strong push. Their defence became really active and made it more challenging for us.”
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Winnipeg goalie Michael Hutchinson made 22 saves in his first start in three games. Across the ice, fellow backup Antti Raanta turned aside 17 shots for the Rangers.
The Jets (13-14-3) now head to Alberta to play two games in two days this weekend. Winnipeg visits the Calgary Flames on Saturday before heading to Edmonton to take on the Oilers on Sunday.
New York (18-9-1) continues its three-game road trip against the Central Division leading Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
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