Kyle Conner Scores a Hat Trick in Win Against the Predators

Kyle Conner is heading into the post-season on a high after scoring a hat trick last night, that after being teased by teammates he will need help to make it happen, that was until he did.

The hat trick was Conner’s first in his NHL career, and it came down to the final seconds in the third period before it became a reality. Connor scored his first goal at 15:20 in the second period, his second at 5: of the second, and with nine seconds remaining in the third, he scored his third.

Also scoring for Winnipeg was Kevin Hayes and Andrew Copp. Assists were given to Connor, Kevin Hayes earned three, Matt Hendricks, Patrick Laine, Tyler Myers, Mathieu Perreault and Jacob Trouba each earned one.

Conner Hellebuyck stopped 33 shot and earned the win as the Jets went on to a 6-0 victory over the Nashville Predators. The win and playoff spot is good news for Canadian friendly sportsbooks and punters favouring the upcoming post-season, and with signup bonuses available with many leading NHL sportsbooks, the time is perfect to prepare for what is to come in the post-season.

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Kyle Connor, speaking about his first hat trick and the comradery among his linemates mentioned that the whole play starts with my linemates. He added, “We were kind of joking, saying they were looking for me on that last shift and Patty made a great pass. I was just wide open there.” The Predators are currently in second in the Central Division and four points behind Winnipeg. Pekka Rinne stopped 38 shots and gave up six. Commenting on the night, Nashville Captain, Roman Josi said,

“Biggest game of the year up to this point and they’re just better than us. It’s disappointing.”

Paul Maurice, coach of the Jets, executed some changes to the lineup last night joining Nikolaj Ehlers with Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. That saw Patriik Laine bumped joining the line with Connor and Kevin Hayes. Speaking of the changes, Maurice said,

“I liked all of them. I don’t have a complaint about the effort of all the lines,”

The success of the changes was impressive to Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 33 shots last night, Commenting, Hellebuyck said,”They were phenomenal. They were getting their sticks on everything, they were blocking shots, they were controlling the pace of play.” Blake Wheeler also praised the results noting that as the third period was coming to an end, the crowd rose to give the Jets a standing ovation. He also noted that the vibe at Bell MTS Place was good from the minute the first period got underway.

The Jets and the Predators have established somewhat of a rivalry since last season after Winnipeg defeated Nashville in the second round of the playoffs. Wheeler noted the difference stating,

“I mean, that was a little bit different buzz than we’ve had in the building all year. Everyone was fired up for this one. We fed off that. I thought it was our best game of the year.”

Winnipeg is 5 and 1 in their last six games and was playing the first of four home games last night, while Nashville was playing the first of three away games. Commenting on the loss, Peter Laviolette head coach of the Predators said,

“We lost five nothing. I thought the first period we played really well. I thought we had the edge and just with what we were trying to do I thought we were sharp and on point and then the next 40 (minutes) turned, we weren’t good at all.”

Winnipeg will next play host to the Dallas Stars on Monday, The New York Islanders on Thursday and the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. The Predators will head to Minnesota for a Monday night game against the Wild and Pittsburgh on Friday to face the Penguins.