Dubois helps Jets to 4th consecutive victory

WINNIPEG -- Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist for the Winnipeg Jets in their fourth straight win, 4-2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Canada Life Centre on Friday.

Connor broke a tie during a two-man advantage at 5:38 of the third period when he one-timed a feed from Mark Scheifele from the right face-off circle.
"It's a tough league," Connor said. "A close game like that, everybody gets competitive and everybody wants to win. That's what it comes down to."
Pierre-Luc Dubois scored twice, Josh Morrissey had three assists and Scheifele had two assists for the Jets (25-13-1). Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves.
"That was a great hockey game, right from the beginning to end," Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said. "That's a great hockey team over there, as you can see. They move the puck really, really well. … That was a [heck] of a hockey game. The fans got their money's worth tonight."

TBL@WPG: Connor gives Jets lead in 3rd period

Anthony Cirelli had a goal and an assist, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 16 saves for the Lightning (24-13-1), who went 0-for-4 on the power play and have been outscored 9-3 in their past two games.
Tampa Bay played without defenseman Victor Hedman, who was with his wife for the birth of their child.
"It's a complete lack of discipline, it was embarrassing what we did," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "How many 5-on-3s you're up against in one season, you count on maybe one hand, and we give them two minute-and-a-half 5-on-3s in one game. Unacceptable. That shouldn't happen. And good on Winnipeg."
The Jets went 2-for-6 on the power play, which each goal coming on a two-man advantage.
"Penalties have been an issue for our team up and down the lineup," Lightning defenseman Ian Cole said. "Just too many. I am certainly a part of that. I can be way better.
"Fact of the matter is, I think our PK has been really good the past little bit. I mean, maybe not the past couple games, but the past two months or so. But what it does is it takes our best players off the ice."
Cirelli gave Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead at 11:48 of the first period, scoring on a rebound from the edge of the left circle following a shot from Steven Stamkos.
Dubois tied it 1-1 at 19:21 during a 4-on-4 situation when he redirected Connor's shot from the left circle.
"We knew it could be a one-goal game, a 1-0 game," Dubois said. "It's a good measuring stick for us … a big team win for us. The penalty kill did a fantastic job in killing all those penalties. This game we could look at it, and it could be a game we remember at the end of the season for us."
Nikita Kucherov put the Lightning back in front 2-1 at 1:35 of the second period with a wrist shot through traffic.
Dubois tied it 2-2 with his second goal of the game on a power play at 7:05, redirecting Morrissey's one-timer from the high slot.

TBL@WPG: Dubois ties game in 2nd period

Morrissey is fourth in the League with 39 assists. He and Kucherov were selected to the
2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game
on Thursday.
"[Morrissey] is having a pretty spectacular year," Connor said. "I don't think anybody is surprised. We knew what he is capable of, and it seems like it is all coming together for him. I couldn't be happier for him or more proud of him and how he has flourished this year.
"Even off the ice, he is a big leader for us. I think it is awesome that he is representing us [at the All-Star Game]."
Winnipeg defenseman Dylan DeMelo saved a goal with 7:12 left following a shot from Stamkos that rolled behind Hellebuyck, knocking it away from the goal line.
Morgan Barron scored short-handed into an empty net on a wraparound with 1:26 remaining for the 4-2 final.
Hellebuyck made 11 saves in the third.
"That game could have been 0-0 and a shootout," Cooper said. "[The Jets] stayed disciplined, just said, 'Sit back and wait for Tampa to screw it up,' and they did. And that's what happened."
NOTES: Morrissey and Connor tied a franchise record by extending their home point streaks to 10 games, joining Wheeler in 2018-19. Marc Savard (2005-06), Marian Hossa (2006-07) also achieved the feat with the Atlanta Thrashers. … Dubois played his 400th NHL game. He has six points (four goals, two assists) during a five-game point streak. Connor also has a five-game point streak (two goals, six assists). … Winnipeg is 17 for 18 on the penalty kill in their past six games. … The Jets are 17-1-0 when scoring four or more goals. … Kucherov played his 600th NHL game. He has 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in his past 11 games. … Lightning forward Brayden Point's six game point streak ended.