Gagner nets 500th point; Red Wings deal blow to Jets' fading playoff hopes

WINNIPEG — Sam Gagner was complimented for more than the two goals he scored in the Detroit Red Wings' 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.

Gagner, who recorded his 500th NHL career point with a shorthanded goal and added an empty-netter, was praised by Detroit coach Jeff Blashill for the type of player and person he is.

“Sam's really turned himself into an accountable, 200-foot player,” Blashill said. “He's got good poise. He's really, really, really smart. He's very, very thoughtful as a person and he's also provided really good leadership.”

The win gave Blashill 200 victories as an NHL head coach.

Michael Rasmussen scored at 9:11 of the third period to break the 1-1 tie. The Surrey, B.C., forward has a goal in three straight games and four in his last five outings.

“I think the biggest thing for young players, or any player, if you want to be a good player in this league, you have to do it night in and night out,” Blashill said. “And so for (Rasmussen) to have a kind of repeat performance – really he's done it probably three, four, five games in a row here where he's been real, real good, real solid – I think that's critical.”

Dylan Larkin had a pair of assists and Thomas Greiss stopped 32 shots for the Wings (28-34-9), who beat Boston 5-3 the night before. Gagner also scored in that game.

Mark Scheifele scored for the Jets (33-28-10), who have lost three straight.

Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves for Winnipeg, which wraps up a three-game homestand (0-2-0) Friday against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Jets' playoff hopes are fading in the Western Conference. They sit with 76 points. The idle Nashville Predators have the first wild-card spot with 84 points. The Dallas Stars have 83 and hold the second spot, but