Scheifele's 42nd goal helps Jets clinch playoff spot with feisty win vs. Wild

The Winnipeg Jets have found their groove just in time, after stumbling through much of the winter.

With their spot in the NHL playoffs clinched, now Connor Hellebuyck can get a break.

Mark Scheifele scored his 42nd goal, Hellebuyck made 33 saves and the Jets secured the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.

Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton also scored for the Jets, who won for the fifth time in six games and eliminated Nashville from contention.

"It's good we handled it ourselves," said Scheifele, who scored for the third straight game. "We didn't wait and put our future in another team's hands."

WATCH l Jets stay hot vs. Wild, clinch final playoff spot in Western Conference:

Kirill Kaprizov scored on a power play for his 40th goal early in the third period for the Wild, who lost their long-shot chance at home-ice advantage in the first round when Central Division leader Colorado went to overtime against Edmonton. Minnesota can't catch the Avalanche or second-place Dallas.

Lowry gave the Jets the lead with just 3:53 elapsed when he knocked in a rebound for his second goal in as many games. Scheifele also scored on a rebound off Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

The Wild had a 13-4 advantage in shots on goal in the first period and 34-20 for the game, but Hellebuyck stepped up time after time.

"He won that game for us. The saves he made down the stretch were amazing," Scheifele said.

Dewar's snap shot off a rebound in front of a wide-open net hit the post early in the third period. Lowry hooked him to give the Wild another power play when Kaprizov finally converted, a few seconds after he hit the post twice from point-blank range.

WATCH l Hellebuyck