With a goal and two assists in the Winnipeg Jets’ 5-2 win over Utah Hockey Club on Friday night, forward Nikolaj Ehlers became the first Danish player in NHL history to record 500 career points.

Connor Hellebuyck turned away 24 shots, and both Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele scored their 29th goals of the season to put them into second place in the goal-scoring race during the Winnipeg Jets' 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

The Jets have one of the most prolific top lines in the NHL — with only Leon Draisaitl having more goals this season than Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele (29) — and Gabe Vilardi on pace to shatter his career-best (23) with 22 already notched.

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson will be Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner. The second tier could include Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser and Brock Nelson. Though they may be on the older side and not in their timeline, Brad Marchand and John Tavares could hit the open market.

They are answering those questions on the fly, as Tuesday evening’s 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens marked the Jets’ fourth straight win, this one kicking off a three-game east coast road trip, and Winnipeg’s top players drove them to victory.

Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele (55) celebrates his goal over Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) with teammates Kyle Connor (81) and Gabriel Vilardi (13) during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi.

Montreal always seems to give Winnipeg a tough test, especially in their own building. The Jets lost 4-3 in a shootout during last year’s annual visit (Laurent Brossoit was in net), and fell 4-1 the previous season (with Hellebuyck between the pipes).

The Blackhawks could expedite their painstaking rebuilding process and be significant players in free agency this summer.

The Hawks ought to be determined to acquire an established, high-end NHL player or two to supplement their youth movement before next season, but Davidson on Monday avoided making any specific commitments to do so.

How are the Jets avoiding their annual second-half tailspin? Plus Cole Perfetti explains the 'how' of his battle-winning and more.

The Winnipeg Jets have a great power play. However, they haven’t been getting many chances to trot it out. In the past 13 games dating back to Dec. 31, the Jets have had a “grand” total of 18 power-play opportunities.

Forget about what Kyle Connor’s next extension could look like, if the Jets should re-sign Neal Pionk, or if there’s any way they can make Nikolaj Ehlers stay. It’s time to think about about Dylan Samberg’s next contract.