Jets extinguish Flames to extend win streak to three

WINNIPEG - After a 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Friday night, the Winnipeg Jets had earned their third straight win on a four-game home stand.
Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves to earn that win, and while it feels good to be putting wins together to end the season, it shouldn't be confused with satisfaction.
"It's nice, but it doesn't put a Band-Aid on anything," said Hellebuyck. "It still sucks. But it is nice knowing that we can win and we're not giving up."
That's the standard the Jets want to set. They also want to make sure they show their fans, who were also on their game inside Canada Life Center for the all-Canadian match-up, that they wear the Jets logo with pride.
"It's what you need in the locker room," said Mason Appleton. "You can't be satisfied not making the playoffs. Especially with the group we feel we have. We feel it's a playoff team."

The offence came off the sticks of Blake Wheeler, Appleton, and Brenden Dillon, as the Jets scored three unanswered after the Flames notched the game's first goal.
Jets interim head coach Dave Lowry credits a first period power play, that didn't generate any goals on the scoreboard, for turning the momentum.
"We just started playing," said Lowry. "I see a team that, when they put their mind to it, is very good and they have an opportunity to win every night. I know that sometimes it's easier when you don't have the pressure of playoffs. But structurally, the group is committed and we've had the results."
Matthew Tkachuk opened the scoring 3:19 into the game, when he took off on a breakaway, chased by Adam Lowry, and was initially stopped by Hellebuyck before Tkachuk deposited the rebound sitting in the crease for his 42nd of the season.

It was Hellebuyck's 66th start of the season, the most he's had in one year in his career. It's one shy of the 67 games he played in 2017-18, but there was no keeping the 2020 Vezina Trophy winner out of the net for this one.
"He wanted to be in the net tonight and he wanted to be in the net in his last (game against the Colorado Avalanche)," said Lowry. "If you look at the shots early, they were 11-2 and he gave us an opportunity. You know what, that's what he's done all year. He's given us a chance to win."
Speaking of 11-2, that's exactly how much the Jets have outscored their opponents on this home stand.
"This last little stretch, with (Eric Comrie) last game and then Bucky tonight, I thought they did everything they could in their power to stop the puck," said Appleton. "We're going to win games when we give up 0 and 1. He played a great game tonight."
The Jets responded with a highlight reel goal to tie it with 12 seconds left in the opening frame, as Wheeler left a drop pass for Ehlers off the rush, and the Danish forward sent a no-look pass from the right side of the ice to the left where Wheeler was waiting to pound home his 16th of the season - and fourth in the last six games.

Appleton made it 2-1 for the home side with his eighth of the campaign, which came 6:06 into the second. He was in the right spot when a rebound from a Josh Morrissey point shot kicked off Dan Vladar's pad, and Appleton swatted it home.
"I'm not really concerned about (Appleton) scoring goals, as opposed to (Appleton) using his speed and creating opportunities," said Lowry. "When he's skating, he's playing direct and he's playing fast, usually he creates (offence). Tonight he got rewarded for it."
It stayed that way through the third period, even through a penalty kill, as the Jets went a perfect 4-for-4 in shorthanded situations against the Flames 10th ranked power play.
In the final minute, with Vladar pulled for an extra skater, Dillon's clearing attempt from the Jets zone found its way into the empty net. That gave Dillon his fourth goal of the season and sealed a 3-1 victory for the Jets.
The home stand, and the season, come to an end on Sunday against Appleton's former team - the Seattle Kraken.
"Fun to play the old friends," said Appleton. "Should be fun to play those guys. Every game in the NHL is important, so we're going to come out and work hard and hopefully end the season on a four-game heater."