Hockey

Lafreniere Shines as Rangers Defeat Jets 6-3 in High-Scoring Affair

by
Richard Hayes
March 13, 2026

In a thrilling encounter in Winnipeg, Alexis Lafreniere showcased his talent with a goal and an assist, leading the New York Rangers to a decisive 6-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. The Rangers displayed offensive prowess, scoring five goals on just 16 shots, while Igor Shesterkin turned aside 24 shots to secure the win.

Joining Lafreniere on the scoresheet were Adam Edstrom, Gabe Perreault, Tye Kartye, and Adam Fox, with Noah Laba sealing the game with an empty-net goal. The Rangers took control in the third period, scoring two goals just 4:11 apart to extend their lead to 5-3.

Perreault ignited the scoring surge by shoveling the puck past Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck at 6:57, followed by Edstrom, who found the net from close range at 11:08. The Rangers managed to fend off the Jets’ attempts to tie the game, regaining the lead each time Winnipeg found the back of the net.

The game began with a bang as the Rangers opened the scoring just 68 seconds in. Adam Fox took advantage of a hooking penalty by Winnipeg’s Gabe Vilardi, scoring from the blue line. The Jets responded in the second period when Isak Rosen deflected a shot past Shesterkin for his first goal with the team, leveling the score at 1-1.

Lafreniere then put New York back in front, redirecting a point shot from Will Borgen, but Kyle Connor countered late in the second, capitalizing on a pass from Mark Scheifele to tie it again at 2-2. The back-and-forth continued as Tye Kartye deflected a pass from Matthew Robertson to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead early in the third.

Just minutes later, Gabriel Vilardi tied the game once more, scoring on a backhand shot from an Adam Lowry rebound. However, the Rangers’ resilience shone through as they pulled ahead for good.

The Jets will look to bounce back as they host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon, while the Rangers will travel to Minnesota for their next matchup.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.