Reimer stymies Jets with 41-save shutout to snap Sharks' 9-game losing streak
Winnipeg clings to final playoff spot in West with 2-point cushion on Calgary
James Reimer earned his third shutout of the season and the San Jose Sharks snapped a nine-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 3-0 victory over Winnipeg, handing the visiting Jets a costly defeat as they try to secure a playoff spot.
Reimer stopped 41 shots, including a diving paddle save with 3:40 left in the second period. Noah Gregor, Kevin Labanc and Martin Kaut scored for the struggling Sharks, who had dropped 14 of 15.
The only victory in that stretch also came against the Jets, a 3-2 overtime win at Winnipeg on March 6.
"It's as solid of a win as we've had in a while, and we haven't had a win in a while. So it was a good win," San Jose head coach David Quinn said. "Obviously, Reims played great. But they were opportunistic, and it was a gutty performance in a lot of ways against a team that's fighting for a playoff spot."
WATCH | Sharks end losing skid:
Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves for the Jets, who went 0-for-3 on the power play.
"They scored more than we did, I guess. A lot of looks. A lot of chances. I don't know if we're gripping it right now," Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo said. "Tough to win when you can't score or are not able to pot 'em in.
Winnipeg holds the second wild-card berth in the Western Conference by two points over Calgary and three over Nashville, which has two games in hand.
"We've got to be a desperate team. It's a big time right now. It's down to crunch time," Jets head coach Rick Bowness said. "We've just got to embrace that fight and embrace it together as a group. And keep fighting. Fight with each other and put it all out there. That's all we can do."
Labanc added his 13th goal 2:23 into the third period. Gregor got an assist on the play as well.
Kaut iced the game with 2:03 to go with his fourth goal of the season. Erik Karlsson earned an assist, giving him 91 points.
