Connor's two-goal game helps Jets to overtime win over Kings

WINNIPEG - Kyle Connor was the only member of the Winnipeg Jets to beat Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell on Tuesday night.
Thankfully for the Jets, he did it twice.
Connor's fifth multi-goal game of the season came at an opportune time, as his 26th of the campaign tied the game in the second period, and his 27th sealed the 2-1 overtime win for the Jets over the Kings.

The two goals also move Connor to within two of the NHL rookie goal scoring lead. It's an achievement that Blake Wheeler believes is a reward for the growth Connor has shown throughout the season.
"He's been one of the huge X-factors for our team," said Wheeler, who had an assist in the win. "Him stepping into our line-up and contributing at the rate he's contributing at is a huge reason why we're sitting where we're at today.
"He was a guy that you had high hopes for coming into the year, but obviously a bit of a question mark, because you didn't know what you were going to get. He's taken the opportunity he's got this year, and he's done a great job."
Los Angeles would open the scoring in the second period when a pass from Dion Phaneuf sent Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar in on a 2-on-1 against Tyler Myers. Brown fed Kopitar, who waited until the last second to send a return pass to Brown at the top of the crease. He slid home his 23rd of the campaign to put the visitors up 1-0.

"He's been really good as of late," said Wheeler. "On the puck, skating, doing the little things. It's not always going to show up in the stat sheet, but when he keeps doing those things, he's going to create enough offensive opportunities. You saw tonight, he put a couple big ones in the net."
The Kings nearly increased the lead just minutes later, when Jeff Carter had a wide open net off an odd-man rush shorthanded. But the veteran shot it wide, and the Jets made Los Angeles pay.
Wheeler hit Mark Scheifele on the left wing with a pass upon entering the Kings zone, and Scheifele waited just long enough for a small seam to open up. He threaded a pass to Connor, who re-directed it at the hashmarks, past the glove of Jack Campbell for his 26th of the season.
"I liked his game an awful lot," said head coach Paul Maurice. "The last two games are heavy games. That's really where you see the growth in Kyle's game over the course of the year. His game doesn't change now depending on the style of game that's played. I thought he was really good tonight."

On the puck, finished some checks, and more importantly won some battles with the puck. His speed is a nice element to have out there.
Winnipeg would outshoot Los Angeles 14-2 in the third period, but couldn't beat Campbell, who made 36 saves in the loss. Eric Comrie wasn't as busy in the other end, but was solid when called upon, making 16 saves in his first home start.
One shot beat Comrie in overtime, but it hit the post.
"I saw it hit the post, and I ducked out of the way, and was like 'thank God it didn't go in,'" said Comrie, who has now won two of his three NHL starts.
"I felt pretty comfortable today. I felt like normal. I tried to play it like Ontario Reign versus the Manitoba Moose. That's the way I played it today. That's the way it felt. I'm very familiar with this building."

That set the stage for Connor, who while on the ice with Josh Morrissey and Bryan Little, weaved in the offensive zone, and when Connor was able to lose his man, Little hit the 21-year-old with a pass in the right circle, and quickly, Connor fired it home.
"It's nice to have the coach have confidence in you, and as a player have confidence to be able to go out there and try to make something happen, and have a chance for the game winner," said Connor.
"You can never be too comfortable in this league. It's something I've learned throughout the year is you have to bring it every day. You have to prove yourself. I'm getting more confident the more games I play, but I don't think I'm too comfortable. You come to the rink, you have to prove yourself."

The win moved the Jets to 44-19-10, and set a new franchise record for wins in a season. The Kings fall to 40-27-7.
Friday night sees the next action of the home stand, with the Anaheim Ducks in downtown Winnipeg to close out the season series between the two teams.
ICE CHIPS
Patrik Laine had his 15-game point streak snapped, but not the way he would have liked.
He left the game in the second period after blocking a shot, and being helped down the tunnel to the Jets dressing room. The 19-year-old wouldn't return due to the lower-body injury sustained on the play.
Maurice said the team had the forward checked out a couple different ways, and don't believe the injury is anything "sinister" or long-term.