Kyle Connor scored two goals in the third period, and Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves to help the Winnipeg Jets secure a 3-0 win against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night.
This shutout was Winnipeg’s first of the season, coming after a morning meeting focused on improving the team’s struggling penalty kill. The Jets successfully killed off all five of Seattle’s power plays in the game.
“We’re basically the worst PK in the league — we’ve got to take some pride in that,” said defenseman Brenden Dillon. “Our room is full of prideful guys, and we know we must perform better. Tonight was a step in the right direction.”
Hellebuyck faced several challenges, particularly after the Kraken pulled goalie Philipp Grubauer late in the game, but he held firm to earn his 25th career shutout.
“I’m already looking forward to number 26,” Hellebuyck said with a grin.
Hellebuyck credited Connor with turning the tide late in the game.
“He’s got so much skill,” Hellebuyck said. “Tonight’s game was a perfect example of how NHL games should be. You grind a team down, and when the opportunities come, you take them. He’s got the skill to capitalize on those chances.”
Dominic Toninato also scored for the Jets, who have now won four of their last six games. Paul Stastny, Mark Scheifele, and Logan Stanley each contributed assists as Seattle struggled again in the early stages.
Stastny capitalized on a turnover by Carson Soucy behind the net and set up Toninato for a one-timer that beat Grubauer just 5:24 into the first period.
Grubauer, who had been pulled after allowing three goals on four shots in Seattle’s 6-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday, conceded the early goal on Winnipeg’s third shot of the night. However, he rebounded with several strong saves, exchanging highlight-reel moments with Hellebuyck as neither team scored in the second period.
Grubauer denied Nikolaj Ehlers on a breakaway midway through the second period and followed it up with another glove save on Logan Stanley after Ehlers centered the puck. Hellebuyck responded with a sprawling save on a Jared McCann shot 30 seconds later, and Grubauer matched him with a quick save on Josh Morrissey’s slap shot off a faceoff.
However, defensive lapses let Grubauer down early in the third period. Connor scored his 16th goal of the season just 47 seconds into the period after receiving a pass from Scheifele and skating unchallenged in the crease. Connor added his unassisted second goal of the game at 14:54 after intercepting a turnover from Adam Larsson at mid-ice and outpacing the defense before beating Grubauer.
Grubauer finished with 28 saves on 31 shots.
“They’re one of the toughest teams we’ve faced this year, and they made it really difficult for us to get out of our zone,” Grubauer said. “They pressured us into making mistakes back there.”
Game Notes:
- Stastny is one assist away from reaching 500 for his career.
- The Jets recalled defenseman Ville Heinola from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.
- Kraken captain Mark Giordano (COVID-19 protocols) returned to the ice after missing six games. Giordano had tested positive for the virus while the team was in Tampa Bay and had to quarantine in Florida.
- Ehlers left the game early in the third period after taking a puck to the hand.
UP NEXT:
- Jets: Visit Vancouver on Friday.
- Kraken: Host Columbus on Saturday.
