Hayes has career night in win over Preds

WINNIPEG -Before the trade deadline, it's a safe bet to say Kevin Hayes' mind wasn't on the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the New York Rangers near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Fast forward nearly a month - the post season is top of mind.
Hayes and his Winnipeg Jet teammates clinched a postseason spot in a 5-0 win over the Nashville Predators Saturday night at Bell MTS Place - a night where he posted a career high four points.

"When you get traded to a team like this, it's really exciting," said Hayes who scored his 18th goal of the season and added three assists.
"To be able to contribute like tonight in an important game is a good confidence booster. Think I'm building some chemistry with(Kyle Connor) there and it's been great so far."
Hayes has played with Connor before, but this morning Paul Maurice added Patrik Laine on Hayes' right side. The opportunity to play with two players that have both scored 30 or more goals in the NHL twice is a good one.

"I was told this morning by coach and it's exciting. They both score a lot of goals in this league and they're easy to play with," said Hayes.
"If we play the right way defensively we should be able to get on some teams."
Winnipeg recorded their second shutout in their last three games - a reflection the tight defensive play the team has boasted in March.
"It's been great. We've played some pretty good teams as of late, teams that are in the playoffs and to play good defence against those teams is just a building block towards the important stuff." said Hayes.
With his third multi-point effort in 13 games as a member of the Jets, tonight's performance reflects the important role the Boston product has carved form himself on the team.
"These guys have been unbelievable with me," said Hayes.
"It took me probably two or three games to feel like myself here and it's been great so far."
One of the biggest adjustments for Hayes came off the ice, moving from the NHL's biggest market to one of its smallest.
"It's a little different outside the rink," smiled Hayes.
"But everyone's so nice here and it's been great so far."