The Winnipeg Jets finally found relief on Friday night, snapping an 11-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings at the Canada Life Centre.
Mark Scheifele scored twice as the Jets earned their first victory since Dec. 13, when they defeated the Washington Capitals.
Vladislav Namestnikov and Jonathan Towes also ended long goal droughts, while Cole Koepke added another for Winnipeg, which improved to 16-22-5 on the season.
“A big relief for everyone,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel said after the win. “In the end, we needed that.”
Namestnikov scored for the first time in 29 games after making a healthy scratch the night before, knocking home a Logan Stanley shot early in the first period.
Koepke made it 2-0 late in the opening period, and Toews extended the lead early in the second period, ending his 26-game scoring streak.
Quinton Byfield scored the lone goal for Los Angeles, but Winnipeg responded quickly.
Scheifele restored the momentum with a power-play goal before adding his team-leading 22nd of the season late in the second period.
Back-up goalkeeper Eric Comrie made 23 saves and thanked the home crowd for their continued support during the slip.
“I think they deserved it more than us,” Comrie said on Friday when asked about the support from the home fans.
“We helped them through tough times, and they stuck with us.”
