Connor scores in OT, Jets beat playoff-bound Predators 4-3
Kyle Connor scored at 1:52 of overtime to give the Winnipeg Jets a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.
Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists, Gabriel Vilardi and Dylan DeMelo also scored and Connor Hellebuyck made a season-high 45 saves for Winnipeg, winners of four straight.
"I think we start the bus and get out of here as fast as we can," DeMelo said. "Without (Hellebuyck), we don't win the game. That's why he's the best goalie in the league and we're lucky to have him."
Tommy Novak, Spencer Stastney and Ryan O'Reilly scored and Juuse Saros made 18 saves for Nashville, losers of five of seven. Kiefer Sherwood and Roman Josi each had two assists.
With the overtime loser point, the Predators clinched a playoff spot. After missing the playoffs last season, the Predators have reached the post-season in nine of the last 10 seasons.
"Obviously, making the playoffs is a huge accomplishment," O'Reilly said. "I think we're proud as a group. Guys worked hard for this. Of course, it would have been nice to win that one, but I thought we showed great resilience tonight."
In overtime, Connor and Scheifele came in on Saros on a 2-on-1, with Connor beating the goaltender with a wrist shot from the left side after a feed from Scheifele.
"Obviously, (Connor) is a great shooter, you want to get the puck on his stick," Scheifele said. "So, I just tried to time the pass right and obviously great shot by him."
After falling behind by a goal early, the Jets rallied for three goals in the first. The three goals were scored on their first five shots of the game.
"We played well in the first and we played really well after they tied it up," Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said. "In between that wasn't our best hockey for sure. We've played better than that and lost, so we'll take that."
Nashville trailed by two goals entering the third, but Stastney and O'Reilly scored 2:07 apart near the midpoint of the period to pull the Predators even.
Novak scored the game's first goal at 4:05 of the opening period, but Vilardi tied it on the power play at 6:51.
Scheifele found Vilardi all alone just outside the Nashville crease, where he put the stick between his legs before roofing a shot just underneath the crossbar on Saros' glove side.
Scheifele then scored on a backhand at 8:19 of the first and DeMelo followed with 7:14 remaining.
O'Reilly tied it at 9:41 of the third with a wrist shot from the slot that beat Hellebuyck on the stick side.
"It was a heck of a shot," Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. "He just seems to relish … he's almost calmer when things get chaotic. He's been around. He's had some big moments, won some big games, won the ultimate thing. He's been unbelievable for our group all year."
UP NEXT
Jets: Visit the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
Predators: Visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
In a world first, king-size cigarettes in Canada must feature one of these warnings starting Tuesday
Tobacco manufacturers have until Tuesday to ensure every king-size cigarette produced for sale in Canada has a health warning printed directly on it.
Norovirus spreading at 'higher frequency' than expected in Canada
Norovirus is spreading at a 'higher frequency' than expected in Canada, specifically, in Ontario and Alberta, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
French actor Gerard Depardieu released after questioning over alleged sexual assaults
French actor Gerard Depardieu was questioned by police on Monday in connection with alleged sexual assaults against two women on separate film sets, police sources said, and was released without charge.
WATCH So you haven't filed your taxes yet…
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2024 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.
Wet weather to plague provinces, some areas to see up to 45 millimetres of rain
The same storm system that brought deadly tornadoes to parts of the U.S. is heading north, hammering some Canadian provinces with rain and snow, according to latest forecasts.
'I feel honoured to say I was his friend': Wayne Gretzky remembers Bob Cole
Tributes continue to pour in for Bob Cole as his family has confirmed a funeral will be held for the legendary broadcaster Friday in St. John's, N.L.
Majority of aspiring homeowners awaiting rate cuts before buying: BMO survey
The majority of Canadians aspiring to buy a home say they will push their plans to next year or later to wait for interest rates to drop, a new survey shows.
Third youth charged with second-degree murder in death of 16-year-old: Halifax police
Police have charged a third youth in connection with the death of a teenager in Halifax last week.
Anne Hathaway reveals she's now five years sober
Anne Hathaway first shared she lost interest in drinking after a bad hangover in 2018. She’s now five years sober.