Alexis Lafreniere has goal, assists to lead New York Rangers past Winnipeg Jets 6-3

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) saves the shot from Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele (55) as he gets knocked over by Jets' Cole Perfetti (91) during first period NHL action in Winnipeg, Thursday, March 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG — The New York Rangers did not look like a team that is already out of the NHL playoff picture.

The Winnipeg Jets, who are still clinging to fading post-season hopes, looked like they are.

The Rangers, who entered the game last in the East, defeated Winnipeg 6-3 before 13,763 fans at Canada Life Centre on Thursday night.

It was New York’s third straight victory. The Jets lost their second straight to drop to 3-2 on their critical eight-game homestand.

“I just think we’re getting there (hard areas) more consistently’,” said Rangers coach Mike Sullivan. “We talked to them after the second period about shooting the puck a little bit more and creating off the shot.

“In the second period, we had a significant amount of zone time but we didn’t have a lot to show for it. So obviously, in the third period, we had better intentions of putting more pucks in play and that encourages guys to get inside more — that’s where goals are scored in this league. I was encouraged by the guys. I’m happy for them. We’ve strung a few games together. It’s nice that they can feel good about what’s going on around here.”

New York improved to 27-30-8 for 62 points on the season, which is identical to the Jets.

Alexis Lafreniere, who had a goal and an assist, Noah Laba, with an empty-net goal, Adam Edstrom, Gabe Perreault, Tye Kartye and Adam Fox scored for New York.

“We have to keep competing and we have to keep building something that we feel good about,” said New York defenceman Braden Schneider. “And I think after the (Olympic) break, we’ve done a really good job at sticking together, playing hard, playing simple, and we’re playing for each other, and I think we’re being rewarded for it. It’s a good feeling.

“I mean, when you’re winning games and getting points in games, it’s a lot better feeling than when you’re on a skid, so it’s awesome to get some wins here and it definitely creates a much better vibe in the room.”

There weren’t many good vibes in Winnipeg’s dressing room.

“I think we definitely need to get better,” said Kyle Connor, who scored one of Winnipeg’s goals. “This team’s not going to just fold in.

“There’s a lot of compete and a lot of will in this room, a lot of belief, too. So we’ve still got a few games here in the homestand, and we’ve got to take what we can and look for ways to get better starts. Look for all these things that are great questions that we got to hold each other accountable. And really dig deep here. And you know, this is our push. And so, yeah, we need to respond.”

Gabe Vilardi and recently-acquired Isak Rosen, with his first goal as a Jet, replied for Winnipeg (26-28-10).

“I think we can feel that we’re right there, but we have to make a push now,” Rosen said. “We can’t wait. Trying to do every shift as best as we can. Win every shift. That’s our mindset.

“We’ve got to keep pushing. That’s the only thing we can do. It’s a real tough loss, but we’ve got to keep pushing.”

At least the Jets outshot their opponents after recording only 13 shots when they were overwhelmed by the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 on Tuesday.

“I thought we did a lot more things correct tonight,” said Jets coach Scott Arniel. “We were a lot better and played a lot faster, transitioned a lot better, and we had some looks (at the net), with 14 five-on-five looks.

“But at the end of the day, we didn’t put the ones in and they did. It all comes down to our coverage against their coverage, and we just didn’t do a good enough job.”

Winnipeg netminder Connor Hellebuyck only stopped 10 shots while Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves, including three on breakaways.

“He’s a great goalie and he made some keys saves at key times,” Sullivan said.

NOTES: Lafreniere has six goals in his last five games and nine in his last 10 outings … Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo played in his 700th career NHL game.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Mar. 12, 2026.

Jim Bender, The Canadian Press