Scheifele's two goals help Jets snap 11-game losing streak with 5-1 win over Kings

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Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele, left, scores against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele (55) and Gabriel Vilardi, center left, celebrate after Scheifele's goal against the Los Angeles Kings during second-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP) — Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele, left, scores against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

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11:03 PM on Friday, January 9

The Associated Press

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Mark Scheifele scored two goals, Vladislav Namestnikov and Jonathan Toews both ended lengthy goal-scoring droughts, and the Winnipeg Jets ended their 11-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night.

The Jets were winless (0-7-4) since a 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Dec. 13. It was their longest skid since the team moved to Winnipeg from Atlanta in 2011.

Namestnikov ended a 29-game goal drought, while Toews halted a 26-game scoring slump. Cole Koepke also scored for the Jets and Gabriel Vilardi had two assists. Eric Comrie made 23 saves.

Quinton Byfield scored for the Kings. Darcy Kuemper stopped 11 of the 16 shots he faced before he was replaced by Anton Forsberg to start the third period. Forsberg made three saves.

Namestnikov, who was a healthy scratch Thursday against Edmonton, tipped in a shot at 1:31 of the first period.

Koepke’s one-timer with 1:55 left in the period made it 2-0, then Toews tapped in his fourth goal of the season 2:07 into the second frame to make it 3-0.

Byfield’s goal seven minutes later was unsuccessfully challenged by Jets coach Scott Arniel for interference.

Scheifele scored on the power play at 12:35 when his pass from behind the net bounced off Byfield’s skate and past Kuemper, giving Winnipeg a 4-1 lead. He followed up with his team-leading 22nd goal of the season with 43 seconds remaining in the game.

Winnipeg's Nino Niederreiter picked up an assist for his first point in 18 games. Kyle Connor extended his point streak to five games with an assist. Kings forward Anze Kopitar (lower body) missed his second straight game.

Up next

Kings: Take on the Oilers in Edmonton on Saturday night.

Jets: Host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL