Connor leads way as Jets beat Preds, 6-2, to take 3-2 series lead
NASHVILLE — Kyle Connor made a move in the first period Saturday that signalled to Jets captain Blake Wheeler his linemate was going to have a big night.
Head coach Paul Maurice saw the same thing.
The rookie winger didn’t disappoint, and now Winnipeg is one win away from the Western Conference final.
Connor buried the first two playoff goals of his career and added an assist as the Jets defeated the Nashville Predators 6-2 to take a 3-2 lead in their secondround series.
“So happy for him,” Wheeler, who wound up with three assists, said of Connor.
“A young player used to putting the puck in net ... when it doesn’t happen right away, especially in your first taste of playoff action, it can be tough to stay with it. But his confidence hasn’t wavered a bit.
“Tonight was his turn.”
The 21-year-old scored 31 goals to pace all rookies in 2017-18, but had failed to connect in nine post-season games before his explosion in Game 5.
“I don’t lose sleep,” Connor said. “The bottom line is team success.
“If the team is winning, everybody’s happy.”
Maurice reunited Connor with Wheeler and Mark Scheifele — the trio combined for eight points Saturday — following a 2-1 loss in Game 4 after moving him to the second unit with Paul Stastny and Patrik Laine for the last five periods of the series.