Winnipeg Jets Come Back to Beat the Panthers

The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Florida Panthers 2-1 Saturday afternoon in Sunrise, Florida. The Jets got third period goals from Cole Perfetti (5th) and Mark Scheifele (27th) to come back and defeat the defending Stanley Cup Champions after trailing 1-0 heading into the final period.

Comrie sensational in Jets Net

Eric Comrie is showing that, as a backup goaltender, he is solid.

Last 3 spot starts: 3-0-0, 75 shots, 72 saves, 1.00 GAA, .960 SV%.

He's a pending UFA making $825K.

Wonder if some team looking to upgrade backup calls the #NHLJets prior to March 6 deadline with an offer.
— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) January 31, 2026

Eric Comrie got the win for the Jets. He has been playing really well lately. Although he is a free agent at seasons end, there may not be much of a market for the back-up goalie at the trade deadline. It is also well known that he and Connor Hellebuyck are great friends. For these reasons,
it may be worthwhile for the Jets management to extend Comrie if he is indeed content with his current role as the back-up to Hellebuyck.

Nyquist makes most of opportunity

Gustsav Nyquist with a slick play to get the puck over to Kyle Connor and he finds Mark Scheifele for the go-ahead goal with 4:14 to go. 2-1 #NHLJets
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) January 31, 2026

In a rare sighting, Gustav Nyquist was given a chance to play with Scheifele and Kyle Connor in the third period. He made the most of his opportunity as his nifty pass to Connor with less than five minutes left in regulation resulted in Scheifele’s game winning goal. Nyquist now has nine assists through 33 games with the Jets. Despite contributing to the game winning goal in this game, this season has been one to forget for Nyquist. With his poor stat line, he essentially has no trade value either.

Jets approaching murky middle

The Jets have gone 7-3-2 in their last 12 games. In most years, this stretch would be deemed successful. This year, not so much. They currently sit nine points out of the lowever wildcard spot for the playoffs with only 28 games remaining. They also are tied for the sixth lowest point total amongst all teams. Before this stretch, they sat firmly with the lowest number of points in the standings.

This turn of events is critical because the worst-case scenario for this lost season would be the Jets missing the playoffs and picking outside the top five or top 10 of the NHL Draft. The Jets management hasn’t hit on any draft picks in this part of the draft in a very long time. If the Jets
pick inside the top five of the draft, there’s a good chance that they can draft a prospect that can be inserted into that much-maligned second line come October. If not that chances are higher for an NH-ready player after his Draft-plus-one season.