Jets fail to secure third in North Division with loss to Canucks

WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Jets failed to secure third place in the Scotia North Division, losing 3-1 to the Vancouver Canucks at Bell MTS Place on Monday.

Kyle Connor scored for the Jets (28-23-3), who have lost nine of their past 10 games and are one point ahead of the fourth-place Montreal Canadiens. Laurent Brossoit made 28 saves.
"I think when you go through a stretch like we're going through right now, it's very frustrating," Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler said. "I still think we have a good vibe in our room and a lot to look forward to going forward, but we are certainly having a hard time here closing out the season."
Nils Hoglander scored twice, and Thatcher Demko made 39 saves for the Canucks (21-26-3), who were eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention when the Canadiens clinched the final berth from the North by earning one point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
"I think we knew the odds were stacked here for the last few games, so I think the team is probably prepared for that," Vancouver coach Travis Green said. "When you start a season, you want to make the playoffs. But when it's official, it always stings a little bit."
Hoglander gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead when he scored on his own rebound at 3:04 of the first period after a turnover by Jets defenseman
Ville Heinola
at the Canucks blue line.
"I think I played great tonight," Hoglander said. "I had a lot of chances, but I think I can score more goals if I [capitalize] on my opportunities."

Bo Horvat made it 2-0 at 7:21 after a pass from Tanner Pearson off the end boards.
Connor cut the lead to 2-1 at 10:44 of the first off a one-timer from Mathieu Perreault.
"We threw everything at Demko there," Connor said. "We had, I don't know how many Grade A chances. … It's just one of those nights. I thought we had great zone time. We gave them a couple of 2-on-1s there that we have to sharpen up."

Hoglander scored his second goal of the game when his pass to Brock Boeser went in off defenseman Josh Morrissey at 10:16 of the third period for the 3-1 final.
The rookie forward has three goals and three assists in his past five games.
"[Hoglander] has been great," Horvat said. "He keeps getting better and better. It takes a little bit for as young guys to figure things out. I think he's improved immensely over the season so he's just going to continue to get better, and he showed that again tonight."
Demko made 13 saves in the third period, including against Connor on a breakaway at 12:46.
"I'm sure a lot of the guys on the team feel the same way; we want to win and regardless of the circumstances," Demko said. "It's about pride for our organization, pride for our teammates, coaches, staff. You're playing for a lot more than what people may think. We're going to try to win every single time we get on the ice, regardless of the situation."
NOTES: The Toronto Maple Leafs have clinched the No. 1 seed in the North, and the Oilers have secured the No. 2 seed. ... Jets defenseman Jordie Benn played his first game against his former team since being traded by the Canucks on April 12. He had one shot on goal and was plus-1 in 14:44 of ice time. … Horvat's goal was his 17th of the season but first since April 18. … Wheeler had his six-game point streak end (three goals, four assists). … Connor's goal was his first point in eight games.