Jets scorch Sharks 6-2, inch closer to playoffs

Winnipeg Jets' Kyle Connor (81) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks with Mark Scheifele (55), Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) and Dylan Demelo (2) during first period NHL action in Winnipeg on Monday April 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade

Josh Morrissey had a goal and two assists as the Winnipeg Jets took another major step toward securing a playoff berth with a 6-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

Adam Lowry, Mason Appleton, Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele each had a goal and assist. Pierre-Luc Dubois also scored for the Jets (45-32-3) and Nino Niederreiter and Dylan DeMelo each contributed a pair of helpers.

Connor Hellebuyck made 19 saves in his 12th consecutive start for Winnipeg, which ended a five-game homestand with a 4-1-0 record and are 6-3-0 in its past nine games.

The Jets, who received a standing ovation from 13,428 fans shouting "Go Jets Go" at Canada Life Centre, play their final two NHL regular-season games on the road against the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche.

Winnipeg now has 93 points and can clinch the Western Conference's final wild-card berth by gaining at least a point in their final two games.

The Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators are also in the hunt for that spot. The Flames were hosting the Predators Monday night. Calgary had 90 points going into its 81st game. Nashville was sitting at 88 points with two games to follow the match. Neither team can afford to lose.

Erik Karlsson scored twice for San Jose, giving him 100 points this season. He's the first NHL defenceman to reach that mark since 1991-92 (New York Rangers Brian Leetch).

James Reimer stopped 27 shots for the Sharks.

Winnipeg led 3-1 after the first period and the score stayed the same following the second.

Both teams scored on their first shot on goal.

Karlsson took a pass from second-year forward Jacob Peterson and beat Hellebuyck 20 seconds into the game.

Peterson extended his career-high point streak to seven games (two goals, five assists). Logan Couture also picked up an assist, giving him 700 career points.

Dubois evened it up on the power play with a one-timer at 1:11, which gave the centre a career-high 62 points in 72 games.

Nikolaj Ehlers contributed an assist, stretching his point streak to five games with three goals and four assists.

Lowry got his stick on a loose puck after a Niederreiter wraparound attempt and made it 2-1 at 7:14. Connor widened the lead by tipping in DeMelo's point shot with 5:34 left in the first.

Four goals were scored in under eight minutes of the third.

Appleton made it 4-1 just 16 seconds into the period when he one-timed a rebound.

Karlsson scored his second goal of the game on the power play at 3:42, but Morrissey fired the puck by Reimer two minutes later and Scheifele scored his 41st goal of the season at 7:35.

HISTORIC MARKS

Karlsson also became the first Swedish-born defenceman in NHL history to reach 100 points.

Defencemen have recorded 100-point campaigns in 14 seasons in NHL history. Bobby Orr did it six times, Paul Coffey five seasons and Leetch, Al MacInnis and Denis Potvin once each.

UP NEXT

Jets: Begin a two-game road trip in Minnesota Tuesday against the Wild.

Sharks: Conclude their season on the road with games Wednesday in Calgary and Thursday versus the Edmonton Oilers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2023.