Jets defeat Kraken in shootout for 3rd straight win

WINNIPEG -- Pierre-Luc Dubois scored the tying goal in the third period, then scored in the shootout for the Winnipeg Jets in a 3-2 win against the Seattle Kraken at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday.

"That's just how it goes sometimes, their goalie played well, we had a lot of shots, they played well too," Dubois said. "We played well for the better part of that game and felt we deserved those two points. Those wins, especially at this time of year, they felt good and they're huge going towards the end of the season."
Blake Wheeler also scored for the Jets (34-19-1), who have won three straight. David Rittich made 27 saves.
Josh Morrissey assisted on Dubois' goal to give him 56 points (11 goals, 45 assists), tying the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers record for points by a defenseman in a season (Dustin Byfuglien, 2013-14). His 45 assists are the most by a Jets/Thrashers defenseman in a season, passing Toby Enstrom (44, 2009-10).
"Twenty-something games left, hopefully [Morrissey] sets the bar even higher," Dubois said. "He's been great for us this year. Everybody in this dressing room is so happy for him. He's worked so hard, had a good training camp, good start to the season. And he's kept it up. He's a big reason we are where we are today."

Philipp Grubauer made 38 saves for the Kraken (30-18-6), who are 1-3-1 in their past five games.
"Tonight is a hard-fought road game for us," Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. "That's a good team, a lot of respect for the ability and the way they play. Disappointed not to get two [points], but that's a real important road point for us."
Dubois tied it 2-2 at 9:39 of the third period, when his backhand attempt banked in off Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn.
"That was a pass," Dubois said. "I thought somebody was back door. That's just how it goes sometimes."
Mark Scheifele and Pierre-Luc Dubois scored and Rittich stopped both shots he faced in the shootout for Winnipeg.
"[Rittich] found out this morning that he was going to start," Jets coach Rick Bowness said. "[Connor Hellebuyck] shows up under the weather, so all of a sudden David is in. … Every game that he's played, he's been outstanding."

Wheeler made it 1-0 Jets at 7:01 of the second period, taking a pass from behind the net from Nikolaj Ehlers then cutting with the puck in front and tucking it behind Grubauer.
Winnipeg killed two Seattle power plays in the first period, including Morgan Barron's double minor for high-sticking.
"I thought for the most part our PK was a real difference maker," Jets forward Adam Lowry said. "We could have gone down one or two in the first [period]. To hold steady and give ourselves a chance going into the second was huge for us."
John Hayden tied it 1-1 at 13:20, driving to the net front and redirecting a centering pass from Morgan Geekie.
"[Hayden] doesn't get enough credit, coming in like that kind of on a moment's notice," Geekie said of Hayden. "He did a great job tonight. He made my play pretty easy, just had to find his stick as he was going to the net. It worked out really well for us."

The Kraken took a 2-1 lead with 26 seconds left in the second when Jared McCann's point shot was blocked by Dylan DeMelo then pinballed in off Mason Appleton's skate.
Hayden has two goals in four games this season.
"It's just been a gutsy effort up and down the lineup," Hayden said. "Guys playing like it's all on the line. Starting with the [defensemen] and [Grubauer] and [goalie Martin Jones] have been great behind that. Just a tremendous work ethic from everyone."
NOTES: DeMelo had a shot, a hit, and a blocked shot in 19:14 of ice time in his first game since Jan. 26 because of a lower-body injury. … It was Winnipeg's first time going to a shootout this season. The Jets are 7-1 in overtime. … Wheeler has three goals in his past two games. … Bowness said Hellebuyck will travel with the team Wednesday for the game Thursday at the Columbus Blue Jackets.