In Winnipeg, the Jets continued their recent success on Monday night with a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks.
“There’s no sense of letting your foot off the gas or sense of satisfaction or anything like that,” Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey said. “Until you have that check mark beside your name on that standings sheet, we got to keep fighting and pushing for it. … The best part of it is we control our fate. If we win games and get the right amount of points, we control our destiny.”
Six different skaters hit for goals in the win.
Winnipeg improved to 45-32-3 off their second straight win, and fourth in the last five.
Connor Hellebuyck made 19 saves in the Jets win.
Erik Karlsson, who scored twice for the Sharks, staked them to a 1-0 20 seconds into the first period, before the Jets reeled off three to take a 3-1 lead.
“We’ve been preaching the last little while to stay aggressive, stay aggressive,” Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said. “We’re going for it, and we’re going to stay aggressive. The last couple games here, we’ve been very aggressive. We’ve been setting the tone, setting the pace, and that’s when we’re at our best.”
Pierre-Luc Dubois hit off the power play to tie the game, 1-1, and Adam Lowry scored for a 2-1 lead to Winnipeg.
“We’ve been preaching a lot to stay in the moment,” Bowness said. “We had one player make a mistake and they got an early goal, but we came right back with the power-play goal. So, there was no panic. That’s what we’ve been preaching for a while, just stay in the moment. You’re not going to win every shift; things aren’t always going to go your way. Next shift up, get us going the other way again.”
Kyle Connor extended the advantage to 3-1.
“I think we’re playing free,” Morrissey said. “We’re playing aggressive and confident and on our toes, and that’s what makes us a great hockey team.”
After a scoreless middle frame, Mason Appleton scored 16 seconds into the third for a 4-1 lead for the Jets.
“We were a little bit overwhelmed tonight,” San Jose coach David Quinn said. “That team played hard, they played fast. I was very impressed with them. … They came and played with an edge. They looked playoff ready to me.”
Karlsson hit for his double, off the power play, to cut the lead to 4-2.
“I think I’m physically and mentally in a good spot in my life, and I’ve just been trying to keep it going day by day and keep the motivation going as best as possible,” Karlsson said. “You know, it’s been tough as of late, but (I’ve) managed a way to get it done and I’m happy about that.”
Morrissey scored with at 5:48 for a 5-2 lead.
“We’re really making good decisions coming through the neutral zone,” Bowness said. “When there’s nothing there, we’re putting it in the place where we can forecheck. When we can make the plays, we’re making plays. And again, our [defensemen] are up and we’ve got everyone involved. And all four lines are rolling the way we need them to roll.”
Mark Scheifele scored at 7:35 for the 6-2 final.
“It’s just been an incredible year for [Karlsson] up to this point,” Quinn said. “Two games to go, to get 100 points, it’s pretty special. I have been saying this for a while, he’s had a Norris Trophy type year. To have the points he’s had 5-on-5 is really unique because of the way it’s happened and the situation we’re in. We’re in a situation where we’re not a playoff team and we’re trying young players.
“To have the season he’s had is just remarkable. I’m just really happy for him and proud of him, because it’s been a tough go for him here over the past three years for a variety of reasons. No. 1 is health, and it’s good to see him healthy. He’s in a great place mentally. I just wish we could have done a little bit more winning for him.”
James Reimer made 27 saves in the loss.
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