Jets push Minnesota to the brink

Hellebuyck rebounds with shutout, Scheifele scores both goals in 2-0 triumph

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CP) — Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck found out he was one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy for the NHL’s top netminder just hours before the puck dropped on Game 4 of Winnipeg’s series with the Minnesota Wild.

Already eager to prove he could come back strong after giving up six goals and being pulled in Game 3, Hellebuyck had a little more inspiration to face Minnesota.

He made 30 saves for his first career playoff shutout and Mark Scheifele scored twice as Winnipeg beat the Wild 2-0 on Tuesday night to take a 3-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

“It definitely added a little more hop to my step,” Hellebuyck said.

Another tense affair between the division rivals, who are just a 90-minute flight apart, was heightened by the Jets’ fans in attendance and a couple of non-calls against Winnipeg.

Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey crosschecked Eric Staal in the neck region midway through the first period but the refs missed it, inciting the Wild crowd and coach Bruce Boudreau.

“My take is, it’s the same take that everybody in the building saw it as the refs looked at it, and they decided not to call it because we were already on the power play,” said Boudreau. “It cost us the game.”

A few minutes later, Winnipeg’s top line of Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler went to work.

Connor’s shot attempt was blocked and Minnesota cleared the zone, but Morrissey corralled a loose puck in the neutral zone and passed ahead. Wheeler and Scheifele hurried across the blue line, with Scheifele careful not to touch the puck before Wheeler could get across.

Countering quickly, Scheifele had a giveand-go with Connor and snapped a one-timer past Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk with 28 seconds left in the first period. Scheifele added his second goal into an empty net with 11 seconds remaining in regulation.

“That’s what this game is now,” Scheifele said. “The tiniest little holes is how you create offence. (Connor) made a great pass on that first one. It was right in the right spot, just away from (Matt Cullen) and I was lucky to put it in.”

Connor, Morrissey, Andrew Copp and Wheeler had assists as the Jets took command of the series heading back to Winnipeg for Game 5. Dubnyk made 26 saves for Minnesota. Hellebuyck posted his 13th career shutout and seventh of the season — some of the numbers that made him a Vezina finalist in his third NHL season. But his relative playoff inexperience had some wondering how he would recover from being pulled two nights earlier.

Jets coach Paul Maurice didn’t wonder. He saw the bounce-back ability of his goaltender all year long.

“We didn’t learn anything about him,” Maurice said. “It certainly is a theme for him this year. He’s mentally very, very strong, very confident in his game. You knew, five to 10 minutes into that game, he was right and feeling good.”

Hellebuyck was at his best when the Wild had a chance for an equalizer early in the second period on a 3-on-1 rush. Hellebuyck slid across the crease and knocked down Matt Dumba’s shot with his glove.

“He’s the reason why we made the playoffs and why we’re here,” Scheifele said. “He’s been the backbone of this team all year.”