Connor Hellebuyck notches league-leading sixth shutout as Jets clean Avs

Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves to post his NHL-leading sixth shutout of the season and the 43rd of his career, lifting the host Winnipeg Jets to a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Nikolaj Ehlers scored two goals and Mark Scheifele also scored to record his 50th point of the season, marking his 10th consecutive season reaching that plateau.

Hellebuyck, who leads the NHL in wins (26), turned aside all seven shots he faced in the third period to preserve his second shutout of the season versus the Avalanche. The two-time Vezina Trophy recipient made 35 saves in Winnipeg’s 1-0 win over Colorado on Nov. 7.

Kyle Connor, Alex Iafallo, Adam Lowry and defensemen Josh Morrissey and Dylan Samberg each notched an assist as the Jets improved to 2-0-1 in their last three games.

Mackenzie Blackwood turned aside 26 shots to see his point streak come to a halt at eight games (7-0-1) for the Avalanche.

Samberg provided a smooth zone entry before connecting with Ehlers, who used a burst of speed before wiring a rocket of a shot past Blackwood to open the scoring 1:08 into the first period.

Connor had a prime opportunity to double the advantage midway through the second period, but a wobbly puck prevented the forward from getting a clean shot on Blackwood on a breakaway.

Shortly thereafter, Connor deftly slid the puck to an open Scheifele, who made no mistake on the doorstep to give the Jets a 2-0 lead with 4:07 remaining in the second period. Scheifele’s team-leading 25th goal of the season extended his point streak to five games.

Ehlers capped the scoring, tallying an empty-netter with 57 seconds remaining in the third period.

Colorado star defenseman Cale Makar left the ice in discomfort with an apparent leg injury around the midway point of the second period. However, he returned to the ice without missing a shift.

–Field Level Media