Winnipeg Jets hang on for 6-4 victory over Predators on Paul Stastny's two goals
Veteran centre Paul Stastny scored two goals to lead Winnipeg to a 6-4 victory over the Nashville Predators at the Canada Life Centre on Saturday -- but the Jets had to hang on to get the job done.
Just 26 seconds after Nashville defenceman Roman Josi pulled the Predators to within 4-3 at 3:10 of the third period, Stastny scored his second of the game to restore the two-goal lead when he deflected a Neal Pionk point shot past Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros.
Winnipeg's red-hot forward Kyle Connor then increased the lead to 6-3 on the power play. But the Predators responded when Philip Tomasino scored with the man advantage to pull within 6-4 with 6:19 left to play. Nick Cousins and Trevor Novak assisted.
With Saros pulled, the Preds stormed the Winnipeg net.
Saros made 23 saves on 29 shots while Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 26-of-30 shots.
Winnipeg improved to 2-2-1 with their second straight win. The Predators fell to 1-4-0.
It was the Predators' only visit to Winnipeg this season.
Rookie Jets forward Kristian Vesalainen scored his first NHL goal with 10 seconds left in the second period to give the Jets a 4-2 lead. Vesalainen deflected a Nate Schmidt point shot past Saros. Pierre Luc-Dubois also assisted.
Nashville pulled to within 3-2 on a second-period power play. Cousins backhanded a shot past Hellebuyck on a scramble in front of the netminder. Novak and Tomasino assisted.
Winnipeg took a 3-1 lead with goals just 1:23 apart early in the second period. First, Dubois deflected a point shot by Schmidt past Saros at 1:11. Then, Stastny pounced on a Connor rebound and fired it into the net for a power-play goal.
Earlier, Jets centre Adam Lowry knotted the score at 1-1 when he was sent in alone on Saros by defenceman Dylan DeMelo. Lowry slid a backhand underneath Saros at 2:42 of the first period.
The Predators drew first blood just 1:15 into the contest. Centre Colton Sissons, who was unchecked on the open side of the Jets net, converted a pass from forward Tanner Jeannot. Hellebuyck had no chance.
The Jets played without both No. 1 centre Mark Scheifele and captain Blake Wheeler for the second straight match. Both are in NHL COVID-19 protocol.
The Jets will head back to California for a three-game road trip. They play the Ducks in Anaheim for the third time in six games on Tuesday.
The Predators will play the Wild in Minnesota on Sunday, the second of a two-game road trip, then return home.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.