Jets score three straight in third, rally past Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Kyle Connor scored twice in the third period, and the Winnipeg Jets rallied to defeat the Arizona Coyotes 5-3 at Gila River Arena on Sunday.

Evgeny Svechnikov had a goal and an assist for the Jets (23-21-9), who ended an 0-3-1 skid. Eric Comrie, who had started once since Jan. 29, made 27 saves for his third straight win.
"We didn't point fingers, blame each other, we really came together there, and we had a good push," Connor said. "Obviously, the way we've been playing, things weren't going the right way, but we came in here really focused."

Nick Ritchie and Jakob Chychrun each had a goal and an assist for the Coyotes (14-35-4). Scott Wedgewood made 33 saves.
"I think they dominated all the game in my opinion. We had really good goaltending keep us in the game," Arizona coach Andre Tourigny said. "You can see it by the number of giveaways we had. When you don't want to get engaged, you force the play with the puck and you turn it over and are under duress."
Hayton tied it 2-2 at 16:40 of the first when he scored a highlight-reel goal. He cut through the neutral zone, toe-dragged Austin Poganski while splitting three defenders and switched from his forehand to his backhand to score inside the right post.
"Ritchie made a great bump-up to me, and I think they were coming off a change and were a little flat-footed," Hayton said. "I was able to get the guy going to the last, then pull it back and come in with some speed."
Ritchie made it 3-2 at 13:56 of the second. It was his first goal for Arizona since being acquired in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 19, and his first goal overall since Jan. 8.
Blake Wheeler's wrist shot tied it 3-3 at 3:17 of the third for the first of three consecutive Jets goals.
Connor's go-ahead goal made it 4-3 at 5:34. After Comrie went post-to-post to make a save on Phil Kessel, the Jets went the other way and Svechnikov found Connor open near the right post.
"Our plan was Eric was going to play here today and he gave us the game we expected," Jets coach Dave Lowry said. "He made some critical saves at key times that allowed us to win."
Connor has scored six goals in his past seven games.
"The top players have got to be the top players, we've got to produce," Connor said. "We're not where we want to be in the standings, it's quite a daunting task, but I believe in this group. I think we can get it done."

Wedgewood stopped Mark Scheifele on a penalty shot at 7:37, but Connor scored his 32nd of the season into an empty net at 18:52 for the 5-3 final.
"I believe he's playing the game the right way," Lowry said of Connor. "He creates, he finds open space. He hunts down pucks and he usually doesn't miss."
Adam Lowry gave Winnipeg a 1-0 lead at 7:39 of the first. Chychrun tied it 1-1 at 10:16 with first goal since Nov. 18 (25 games).
Svechnikov put Winnipeg ahead 2-1 at 10:59 off a Nathan Beaulieu rebound.
"I just hope to get on a roll, that's a big win," Comrie said. "I think we're playing fine. I think we're right there. We're just just not quite getting the results. … But I think we're going to start to find some more results here, and some more success."
NOTES: Neither team had a power play. … Winnipeg was 2-15-1 when trailing after the second period. … The Jets went 1-2-1 on their road trip. … The Jets have allowed three goals or more in eight consecutive games. … Jets forward Andrew Copp, out since Feb. 17 with an upper-body injury, practiced Saturday but still isn't ready, Lowry said. … Ritchie's multi-point game was his first since May 5 with Toronto against Buffalo (one goal, one assist). … Chychrun has scored three goals after scoring 18 in 2020-21, the most among NHL defensemen.