Mark Scheifele officially became a NHLer in the summer of 2011, when he was the first draft pick of the new Winnipeg Jets, after they relocated from Atlanta. The draft that year was held at the rink now known as Grand Casino Arena, and to this day Scheifele clearly enjoys his return visits to Minnesota.

On Thursday Scheifele had a goal and three assist as the recently resurgent Jets won their fourth in a row, blowing out the suddenly struggling Minnesota Wild 6-2.

Danila Yurov scored for Minnesota in the second period, as the Wild went without a regulation win on their three-game homestand, and are now 1-3-2 in their last half-dozen. Rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt started – but did not finish – the game, stopping 14 of the 20 shots he faced in the first two periods before giving way to Filip Gustavsson who played the third.

Winnipeg was the NHL’s best team in the regular season a year ago, then had an ugly first half this season and looked like they might go first-to-worst. But after a come-from-ahead overtime loss to the Wild late last month sent them into an ugly 0-5-1 stretch, the Jets have seemingly gotten their groove back. The win on Thursday was Winnipeg’s seventh straight in St. Paul.

Out-shooting Winnipeg 10-0 after 12 minutes had elapsed, the Wild were stymied by Jets star goalie Connor Hellebuyck. They then opened the door for Winnipeg to re-engage, taking penalties 31 seconds apart and giving the Jets an extended two-man advantage. They made it count when Jonathan Toews popped in a rebound, giving the visitors the first period lead. It was the 900th career goal for Toews, and his 19th versus Minnesota – the previous 18 coming as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.

They then sent the crowd to the first intermission break in some shock, as Winnipeg victimized the Wild’s fourth line, scoring twice in the final 10 seconds of the first period to lead 3-0. After Minnesota got the first 10 shots of the period without scoring, the Jets recorded 10 of the next 11 shots, and scored on three of them.

Minnesota finally answered early in the middle frame via rookie Danila Yurov’s one-timer following a cross-ice pass from Jake Middleton. The Wild then killed a Jets  power play, only to see the momentum disappear in an instant, when a turnover at the blue line and a long-range slap shot put Winnipeg ahead by three again. When a power play goal by the visitors later in the second, and a late goal that fooled Wallstedt to make it 6-1, boos rained down, directed at the officials, or the Wild, or both.

Marcus Johansson scored Minnesota’s second goal in garbage time, his first of the New Year and 13th of the season.

Gustavsson had eight saves in the third, while Hellebuyck finished with 32 in the game for Winnipeg. The Central Division rivals finished the four-game season series with each team winning twice in the other’s building.

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