Nikolaj Ehlers was fantastic for the Winnipeg Jets this week, posting a natural hat trick and two game-winning goals over three games en route to leading the league in goals scored with five.
Ehlers (5-2–7) was a force from the get-go in a Monday night win on the road visiting the Edmonton Oilers. He first dished out an assist on Dmitry Kulikov's goal before tallying a natural hat trick of his own, the second of his career, with his third goal ensuring a 5-2 Winnipeg win on a power-play. Being a road game, the hats weren't exactly raining down on the ice, but Ehlers was named the game's first star for his performance – which also included the game-winning goal.
It was on to Rogers Arena from Rogers Place Thursday, where Winnipeg continued their road winning ways with a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Ehlers officially put the game out of reach for Vancouver by adding an insurance goal at 19:55 of the third period with an empty-netter.
The Jets headed back to Bell MTS Place Saturday, and to the home crowds' delight, the Jets put up a third consecutive win to further distance the club from a deflating 7-2 home-opening loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs last week.
Ehlers netted his second game-winner in three games with laser-like precision, and was named second star of the game in helping the Jets close out their perfect week.
Seriously... what a SNIPE! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/oV4pv3MoH7
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 15, 2017
Ehlers' seven points this season (all accumulated this week) now lead his club – as do his five goals. The 21-year-old is now quickly building off his 25-goal campaign from last season, showing he has a knack for scoring them when it counts – and for making them look pretty.
Great job by Nikolaj Ehlers finding space & ripping the no-look snipe pic.twitter.com/6r3DO7b8Mv
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 10, 2017
Complete listing of the 2017-18 NHLPA.com Players of the Week here.