Hellebuyck helps Jets take down Predators in opener on road

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Connor Hellebuyck made 47 saves, and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Friday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal between the NHL's top teams in the regular season.

Not only did the teams top the standings, this series is the first between clubs with the most combined points before a conference finals after Nashville (117) edged Winnipeg (114) for the Presidents' Trophy.

Both the Jets and Predators brought a Vezina Trophy finalist into this series, and the 24-year-old Hellebuyck outdueled veteran Pekka Rinne, who was pulled after the second period after giving up three goals on 16 shots. Hellebuyck, who made his NHL postseason debut in the first round where he finished off Minnesota with back-to-back shutouts, picked up in Nashville where he left off a week ago. Hellebuyck stretched his shutout streak to 163 minutes before the Predators finally scored.

Mark Scheifele scored two goals, including an emptynetter as Winnipeg was outshot 48-19. Brandon Tanev and Paul Stastny also scored to help the Jets — the NHL's best home team — steal home-ice advantage.

Kevin Fiala scored for Nashville, which had won 11 of its last 14 playoff games.

SHARKS’ KANE SUSPENDED

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane was suspended for Saturday’s Game 2 against Vegas because of a cross-check to the head of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.

The league said Kane's second cross-check after the whistle was “not a hockey play” and served no purpose other than hitting an opponent in the head. The play came in the third period of a series opener that San Jose lost 7-0.