Scheifele, Jets pull away from Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Arizona Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet had a lot of praise for the Winnipeg Jets' top forwards when he met with the media Friday. It was easy to see why when the teams played the first game of their home-and-home Saturday.

Mark Scheifele scored the go-ahead goal on the power play 2:31 into the third period, and Winnipeg defeated Arizona 4-1 at Gila River Arena.
Scheifele had an assist, linemate Blake Wheeler had two assists, and Patrik Laine had a goal and an assist for the Jets (9-4-3).
WATCH: [All Jets vs. Coyotes highlights]
"Big bounce-back game in a tight game," Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said of Scheifele, who was minus-3 in a 5-2 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday. "I think you're just seeing that kind of maturity. He stayed with his game."
Scheifele has 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in his past seven games. The Jets are 5-1-1 in that stretch.
Steve Mason made 29 saves for Winnipeg in his first start since Oct. 27. Antti Raanta made 17 saves for Arizona.
The Coyotes (2-14-3) haven't won in regulation through their first 19 games, tying the NHL record set by the Calgary Flames in 1999-2000.
"We were in good shape after the second (period)," Tocchet said. "They didn't have much. I think they had eleven shots with three, four minutes left in the second, but they made plays in the third, and we didn't. They've got some high-end guys and they put it in the net."

Zac Rinaldo gave Arizona a 1-0 lead at 14:33 of the first period. It was the 13th time the Coyotes scored first this season; they are 2-9-2 in those games.
Derek Stepan was denied on an initial attempt in front of the net, but he passed the puck across the slot to defenseman Alex Goligoski, who was pinching on the play. Goligoski's shot deflected off Rinaldo's left knee and past Mason.
The assist was Stepan's first point in 10 games.
Matt Hendricks tied it 1-1 at 14:04 of the second period when his wrist shot from the high slot deflected off Coyotes forward Brendan Perlini's stick, changed direction, and went in off Raanta's shoulder.
It was Hendricks' first goal of the season and first in 23 games dating to Feb. 16, when he scored for the Edmonton Oilers against the Philadelphia Flyers.
"Matty has done all those hard things," Maurice said. "He blocks shots. He kills penalties. It was a great lift on the bench. I think once the game got to even, we were pretty good after that."
Scheifele scored the game-winner with Coyotes forward Christian Fischer in the penalty box for tripping Nikolaj Ehlers. Scheifele took a pass from Wheeler at the left hash marks and beat Raanta to the stick side with a wrist shot to make it 2-1.
Kyle Connor scored off a Wheeler pass from behind the net at 8:01 of the third period to put Winnipeg ahead 3-1.
Laine scored into an empty net at 19:43 to make it 4-1 and extend his NHL career-high goal streak to five games.

Goal of the game

Scheifele's goal at 2:31 of the third period.

Save of the game

Mason stopping Perlini at 6:13 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Raanta's post-to-post pad save on Laine at 1:26 of the second period.

They said it

"I think that's the biggest growth with our team, is we just get rid of the bad ones and come ready to play the next game." -- Jets captain Blake Wheeler on bouncing back from a loss at the Golden Knights on Friday
"I was disappointed I wasn't able to find the score sheet when I thought I had some opportunities to get rewarded. It eats at you." -- Coyotes center Derek Stepan on ending a nine-game point drought with an assist

Need to know

Jets defenseman Tyler Myers left the game at 6:32 of the third period after injuring his right leg to the left of the Winnipeg net. He returned for the final 16.5 seconds after being examined by the Jets orthopedic surgeon. Maurice said he will be re-examined Sunday. … Fischer sustained a cut above his left eye that required stitches in the first period when he went hard into the end boards.

What's next

Jets:Host the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, FS-A, NHL.TV)
Coyotes: At the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, FS-A, NHL.TV)