Jets clinch spot in Stanley Cup Playoffs with win over Wild

Connor Hellebuyck's 13th straight start may have been his best of the bunch.
Sure there was a shutout along the way in a critical game against the Nashville Predators last week, but the 33 saves Hellebuyck made - including 17 in the third period - to give the Winnipeg Jets a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday was on another level.
It also helped clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"It's phenomenal. It feels great in here," Hellebuyck said in the room after the game. "We did it as a team and I couldn't be more proud of the guys."
In front of Hellebuyck, the Jets had goals from Adam Lowry, Mark Scheifele, and Mason Appleton in a win that not only sent the Jets to the postseason, it was also Winnipeg's first win over Minnesota this season.

To get the job done in game 81 and not wait around for help was a point of pride, says Scheifele.
"Give credit to every guy in this room," said Scheifele. "We battled hard the last little while to get back to being in the playoffs. Obviously we wish we would have stayed at the top, but that happens. Everything happens for a reason, and we just have to trust in that plan.'
Just like Monday against San Jose, the Jets scored on their first shot of the game. A strong forechecking shift led to Nino Niederreiter having a look from the high slot. His shot was blocked, but Lowry was there to tuck it home for his second goal in as many nights.

It was a big early goal for the Jets, who head coach Rick Bowness said looked a bit nervous at puck drop.
"We couldn't make a 10 foot pass," Bowness said, adding he felt his team got better as the game went on. "We played much better in the second than we did in the first. Then in the third, they got that early power play goal which gave them a lot of life and then we were on our heels a little bit. But that's what you need your goalie to do -- make the timely saves."
The Jets built on that 1-0 lead with 6:50 remaining in the opening period, as Mark Scheifele got to a loose puck at the side of the net and banged home his 42nd of the season to make it 2-0. The forward now has goals in four of his past six games.
"I play with amazing players, so I get my chances," said Scheifele. "It just feels good. It's a good feeling. Not much else to say. It's a good feeling that we're going back to the playoffs and just want to keep going."
There were no goals in the second, but the third period is when the Wild started their big push.

After Hellebuyck made two highlight reel stops on an early Minnesota power play, Kirill Kaprizov - one of Hellebuyck's victims on that man advantage - finally beat the Jets goaltender, potting his 40th of the season on a backhand from the slot.
That seemed to give the Wild some life, but Hellebuyck was there whenever he was called on.
Even in his league-leading 63rd start, Hellebuyck was incredible.
"I've always been prepared and ready for whenever my name is called," said Hellebuyck. "We've been managing my workload between games really well. It felt good."
An insurance marker also felt good, and that's what Appleton provided with 5:54 remaining, firing a Morgan Barron centering pass into the twine behind Marc-Andre Fleury to make it 3-1.

Still, Hellebuyck's brilliance was needed. With just over two minutes left, Mats Zuccarello had a wide open net from the top of the crease, but Hellebuyck - in desperation - shot out his stick and caught it with the paddle.
"That one felt pretty good. I'll tell you that," he smiled. "You're really just giving yourself a chance at it, when you feel it clean you know it's coming out the other side and to be ready for whatever is going to ensue."
Scheifele didn't hide what he thought of Hellebuyck's performance.

"I think that game should have won him the Vezina," Scheifele said. "That game he played, the way he's played for us, he's our most valuable player. We wouldn't be where we are without him. He's been amazing."
The Jets have one game left on the schedule, Thursday night in Colorado, but for tonight, they'll enjoy the reward for a full season of hard work.
The anticipation of the whiteout in Winnipeg.
"I think we just know in this room what it takes and what we have," said Hellebuyck. "I'm just really excited after this game, it's really hard to gather myself right now. I'm so excited and I'm just looking forward to the future here."