4 things we learned in the NHL: Jets make history

Mark Scheifele fed Kyle Connor for the OT winner as the Winnipeg Jets topped the Anaheim Ducks 3-2.

The Winnipeg Jets made some history, plus Antti Niemi and Taylor Hall kept up their stellar form.

Here are four things we learned in the NHL on Friday.

Historic points haul for Jets

Patrik Laine returned to the lineup and the Jets defeated the Anaheim Ducks, but the good news for Winnipeg didn’t stop there.

The Jets’ 3-2 overtime win secured their first-ever 100-point season.

There are still eight games remaining with the Jets six points behind the first-place Nashville Predators in the Central Division. With four straight wins under its belt, Winnipeg might enter the playoffs on a hot streak.

Berglund guides Blues to another win

Speaking of four straight wins, the St. Louis Blues are on the exact same run. They cruised past the struggling Vancouver Canucks 4-1 with Patrik Berglund recording his first multi-goal game of the season.

The Blues have also won six of their last seven as they make a late push for the playoffs. St. Louis is currently one point behind the Colorado Avalanche and two points adrift of the Ducks for the first wild-card spot with a game in hand.

Niemi’s resurgence continues

Niemi got off to a shaky start this season. He allowed 16 goals in three starts with the Pittsburgh Penguins, posting a horrid 7.50 goals-against average and a .797 save percentage in that span.

Niemi was placed on waivers by the Penguins, claimed by the Florida Panthers, who then put him back on the waiver list after two games, before landing with the Montreal Canadiens. He hasn’t looked back since.

Niemi recorded a 35-save shutout, helping the Canadiens defeat the Buffalo Sabres 3-0.

Since arriving in Montreal, Niemi’s numbers have drastically improved. In 17 games, the Finnish goaltender has a 2.25 GAA and a .936 SV%, a far cry from his (short) time in Florida and Pittsburgh.

Hall continues Hart Trophy push

Hall’s brilliant play this season has rightfully earned him Hart Trophy consideration. He bolstered his case for the award on Thursday.

Hall’s goal and two assists led the New Jersey Devils to victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime. The 2010 first-overall pick has 81 points on the year, becoming the first Devils player since Ilya Kovalchuk in the 2011-12 season to eclipse the 80-point mark.

Given his stellar season, it’s tough to rule out Hall as a favourite for the Hart, especially over the past couple of months.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.