All-Star weekend full of memories for Connor

LAS VEGAS - Kyle Connor helped the Central Division earn a chance to be the final of the four teams standing at the 2022 NHL All-Star weekend, but ultimately they came up just short.
Connor scored in the semi-final win over the Atlantic Division, then added an assist in the final against the Metropolitan to finish with two points on Saturday.
Coming up short in the final, and being that close to bragging rights and the $1 million prize, didn't change how the Jets forward felt about the experience though.
"It was a fun day. I enjoyed it," Connor said. "Playing three-on-three hockey, the first game was a bit more wide open than the second game. It was a lot of fun getting to know a lot of the guys too, playing with guys you don't necessarily get a chance to."

The Central Division jumped out to a quick lead in their 8-5 semi-final victory, and were led by Jordan Kyrou - who beat Connor in the Fastest Skater event the night before - as the Blues forward scored twice and had two helpers as well.
The 25-year-old Connor started that game on a line with Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators. As the game went on, Connor was shifted to a trio with Colorado's Nazem Kadri and Kyrou.
"The first game we mixed it up a bunch then in the second game we stuck with the same line," said Connor, who had Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar behind the bench. "You get a lot of ice out there. Every single one of those guys can make plays. It seemed like we were finding each other open at the right times."
It was an eventful game for Connor, as both video reviews in the game affected the Jets forward.
The first came on his goal, as he banged home a rebound past Jack Campbell, but the official didn't see it cross the line. The Atlantic went back the other way and scored, but the review showed that Connor's shot did cross the line - wiping out the Atlantic goal scored later on.
"I thought I was crazy. I thought I was the only one that saw it go in," Connor smiled. "The play kind of went on, but it was one of those that it made a different sound - it hit the back pad of the mesh there - so I knew right away. Just had to wait for the review."

The second came later in the game, when Connor snapped home a one-timer off a pass from Cale Makar with 2:08 left in regulation. This time, Connor wasn't so lucky, as the play was offside on the entry - as the review showed.
"Probably had more (reviews) in that game than there was in the season," Connor laughed. "We can joke and laugh about it, but at the bottom everybody wants to win, everybody is pretty competitive. I'm sure they were looking at it as soon as it happened."
There was no rest for Connor though, and it had nothing to do with preparing for the final.
He was one of many players who spent the time between games taking in Machine Gun Kelly's performance at T-Mobile Arena, as the platinum-selling recording artist descended from a small stage hoisted high above the ice surface.
"It was cool. I'm a fan of his music," said Connor, who posted his view on his Instagram story. "I thought it was great. It was cool to see him close up."
When the set was all cleared, Connor and his Central teammates took to the ice against the Metropolitan - who had disposed of the Pacific Division with a 6-4 score.
The teams traded goals in the first 1:38, with Arizona's Clayton Keller matching Washington's Evgeny Kuznetsov's tally.
But in a span of 1:17, the Metropolitan opened a 3-1 lead with goals by captain Claude Giroux - who finished as the All-Star MVP - and the NHL's leading goal scorer, Chris Kreider.
Down 3-1, the Central pulled within one on a goal from Nazem Kadri, a play set up by Connor, before Jack Hughes ended the first period with his third goal of the day to make it 4-2.
Once again, the Central got within one as captain Joe Pavelski scored his second of the day 1:19 into the second. Giroux answered quickly, though, rounding out the scoring in a 5-3 final.
Even if Connor and the Central didn't win the grand prize, he's still going home with a little something extra in his suitcase.
"There are a bunch of sticks and jerseys going around," said Connor. "I think we're getting two jerseys signed by everybody. That will be cool, something you can always look back on and remember experiences like that."