Connor secures eighth 30-goal season as Jets take down Avalanche

The goal gave Connor his eighth 30-goal campaign, passing Ilya Kovalchuk for the most in Jets/Thrashers franchise history.

Alex Iafallo and Cole Perfetti, with an empty-netter, also scored for the Jets (27-28-10), who rebounded from back-to-back regulation losses to salvage a critical two points in their pursuit of a playoff spot. Mark Scheifele picked up two assists, including his 51st to set a new personal single-season record for helpers.

Connor Hellebuyck lost his shutout bid late in the third but put forth a solid 28-save performance for the win. 

Martin Necas broke the shutout at 18:44 of the third period with his 31st goal for the Avalanche (44-12-9), who saw their season-high six-game road winning streak snapped. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar assisted on the play.

Mackenzie Blackwood made 15 saves in the loss for the Avalanche.

Avalanche defenceman Brent Burns played in his 990th consecutive NHL game, surpassing Keith Yandle for the second-longest Iron Man streak in league history. Phil Kessel has the longest streak, at 1,064 consecutive games.

Jets: Winnipeg moved back into the win column to salvage a shot at a playoff spot, backed by a strong defensive effort against an Avalanche attack that entered the day leading the NHL with 3.80 goals per game.

Avalanche: Necas extended his goal streak to three games. He has now found the back of the net in each of Colorado’s last six road games.

Connor broke a scoreless deadlock at 2:05 of the second period, firing home his 30th goal of the year to ignite the Winnipeg offence and set a new franchise benchmark.

Connor has reached the 30-goal mark in every season of his nine-year NHL career except for the 56-game COVID-19 shortened campaign.

Jets: Host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Avalanche: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.