Hellebuyck, early goals help Jets beat Coyotes 2-1
Josh Morrissey was glad Connor Hellebuyck was the last line of defence for the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.
Hellebuyck made 29 saves to backstop Winnipeg to a much-needed 2-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
The veteran netminder made a huge save early in the second period that drew loud cheers from 13,216 fans at Canada Life Centre.
After Nick Schmaltz's shot hit the post, the puck was in play out front. Michael Kesselring then sent a backhand shot straight at the net but Hellebuyck, from the side of the crease, reached his stick out along the ice and redirected the puck away.
"Just another to add to his highlight reel, I guess," said Morrissey, the team's star blueliner. "He's been incredible for us, certainly all year and for a long time.
"When they really had their push in the second, he made some massive saves and gave us a chance to regroup in the intermission and to come out in the third and play a lot better."
Hellebuyck recorded his 31st victory in his 55th start of the season.
Nikolaj Ehlers and Adam Lowry scored for the Jets (40-29-3), who have only won two of their past five games.
The loss snapped Arizona's four-game win streak and eight-game point streak (6-1-2).
Barrett Hayton scored for the Coyotes (27-33-11) and Karel Vejmelka stopped 23 shots.
"It's a really good stretch of hockey for us," Hayton said. "Coming out of the (trade) deadline, we really wanted to focus on our attitude and being able to turn the page quick there.
"The first game after the deadline we weren't good at all and we learned from that quick and we went on that stretch. Obviously, our group is really happy with that but we want to keep it rolling."
Winnipeg led 2-0 after the first period and 2-1 following the second.
Ehlers gave the Jets a rare first goal when he stole the puck after a bad Arizona pass attempt, skated in alone on Vejmelka and slapped in his own rebound at 4:17 of the first period.
Winnipeg went into the contest giving up the first goal in five straight games and nine of their previous 10.
Lowry notched a short-handed goal on a two-on-one with Morgan Barron at 11:33.
The Jets outshot the visitors 10-7 in the opening period.
"I thought we played good in the first period, we just made mistakes with execution," Coyotes coach Andre Tourigny said. "We gave up two breakaways and a two-on-one on an execution mistake. So execution, that can happen (on) both sides."
Hayton scored his 15th goal of the season off a rebound at 11:46 to make it 2-1. The goal extended his point streak to eight games (five goals, eight assists).
Winnipeg was outshot 18-3 in the second period and didn't have a shot on goal for the final 16 minutes, 14 seconds of the frame.
"It's funny. The second period the bench, it got quiet. They could see what was going on," Jets coach Rick Bowness said.
"The third period, there was a lot of energy on the bench and that took itself out on the ice. We had everyone going. The bench was really energized in the third, they knew what was at stake, they knew we had to find a way to win this game."
The Jets had a pair of power plays close together early in the third, including a four-minute man advantage when Arizona's Liam O'Brien received a double minor for high-sticking Winnipeg forward Vladislav Namestnikov in the face, but they couldn't extend their lead.
Winnipeg ended the third period on the power play and finished 0-for-6. Arizona was 0-for-3.
KELLER KEEPS COOKING
Coyotes leading-scorer Clayton Keller extended his point streak to nine games with an assist on Hayton's goal. He has seven goals and 10 assists during the run, and 76 points in 71 games.
Keller also tied Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon for the second-most points since the NHL all-star break. They both have 35 points during that span. The Avalanche were idle Tuesday. Edmonton star Connor McDavid has racked up the most points (44) since the break. The Oilers also didn't play Tuesday.
MISSING OFFENCE
Winnipeg leading-scorer Kyle Connor hasn't scored a goal in 11 consecutive games.
Blake Wheeler has no goals in his past 18 games and top goal-scorer Mark Scheifele only has two assists in his past six outings.
UP NEXT
Jets: Embark on a three-game road trip, starting Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks.
Coyotes: Finish back-to-back games in Edmonton Wednesday against the Oilers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Flights divert around western Iran as explosions and loud noise reportedly heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes over western Iran without explanation early Friday as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic reported 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan. State television acknowledged 'loud noise.'
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.