Jets rout Avalanche 6-1
WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- The Winnipeg Jets were 15.4 seconds from shutting out the Colorado Avalanche for an 11th time this season, but the Jets still prevailed 6-1 on Saturday night at MTS Centre.
Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 22 of the 23 shots on goal.
The Jets (30-30-6) struck three times in the first period and twice in the second, chasing Colorado goaltender Calvin Pickard from the game after allowing all five goals on 20 shots.
Avalanche backup Jeremy Smith made 10 saves on 11 shots in relief.
Blake Wheeler and Nikolaj Ehlers each had three points as both scored and added two assists. Wheeler's 20th of the season is his second power play goal in as many games, extending his point-scoring streak to four games.
Jets rookie Patrik Laine scored his sixth game-winner of the season at 4:22 of the first period with his team-leading 32nd goal, circling back and firing a slap shot that deflected early off of Matt Duchene's stick, beating Pickard high glove side.
Matthieu Perreault drew the primary assist, extending his point-scoring streak to seven games (three goals, eight assists).
Mark Scheifele, Ben Chiarot and Jacob Trouba also scored for Winnipeg. Dustin Byfuglien had two assists to extend his point-scoring streak to seven games (two goals, seven assists), as the Jets outshot the Avalanche 31-23.
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog scored his 14th goal of the season at 19:44 of the third period.
With a three-game road trip complete, the Avalanche now return home for four games, hosting the St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators through next weekend.
The Jets are in the midst of a season-long six-game homestand, with San Jose, Pittsburgh, and Calgary visiting during the next week.
NOTES: Avalanche G Calvin Pickard hails from Winnipeg and got the start in his hometown for a second time this season. Pickard was pulled in favor of backup Jeremy Smith after allowing five goals on 20 shots. ... After being acquired at the trade deadline on March 1 from the Montreal Canadiens, Avalanche F Sven Andrighetto was a healthy scratch for a second straight game because of work visa issues. ... Jets captain Blake Wheeler scored a power play goal for a second straight night after getting the game-winner Friday night in a 3-0 win over the Blues. On Saturday night, Wheeler hit the 20-goal mark for a fourth straight season and for a fifth time in his 10-year NHL career. ... Jets F Nic Petan was a healthy scratch for a second straight game.