Wheeler scores five points for Jets in win against Predators

NASHVILLE-- Blake Wheeler had two goals and three assists for the Winnipeg Jets in a 5-2 win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.

Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist to reach 300 NHL points for the Jets (20-17-8), who scored five straight goals after trailing in the first period. Connor Hellebuyck made 34 saves.
"Obviously going down 2-0 isn't how you want to start a game, but we knew they were going to start hard," Winnipeg forward Pierre-Luc Dubois said. "As the game got on, I thought we played better and better. We know the reality in front of us is we can't lose too many games here. Every game is going to be important."

Mikael Granlund and Matt Duchene scored for the Predators (28-16-4), and Juuse Saros made 38 saves. It was their first loss in 18 games this season when leading entering the second period.
Nashville had 45 penalty minutes and allowed three power-play goals. It entered the game averaging 12.3 penalty minutes, most in the NHL.
"I think penalties has been a part of our team the whole year," Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm said. "We've still been able to win games. But now it's starting to bite us. ... I know guys don't want to take penalties. It's not like someone is trying to go out there and take a penalty. That's just been the case as of late and that's something that needs to (change)."
Wheeler gave the Jets a 3-2 lead at 10:53 of the third period, scoring a power-play goal after an assist from Mark Scheifele. Dubois made it 4-2 at 11:52, scoring on that power play.
Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki had been given a major penalty for elbowing and a game misconduct at 9:36 for making contact to the head of Jets forward Evgeny Svechnikov.
"I think we went out there with a lot confidence knowing that was the hockey game," Wheeler said. "We had to bury one. Regardless of the scenario, you get five minutes on the power play with the game on the line, you want to make it count."

Granlund gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 3:26 of the first period with a slap shot from the top of the face-off circle. Filip Forsberg had an assist to extend his point streak to six games (five goals, five assists).
Duchene made it 2-0 at 6:19. The power-play goal extended his point streak to six games (six goals, two assists).
Scheifele cut Nashville's lead to 2-1 at 7:44 with a slap shot from the face-off dot that bounced off the post. It was his third goal in as many games.
Connor tied it 2-2 at 9:58 of the second period with his Jets-high 26th goal of the season. His shot deflected off Granlund before sliding through Saros' legs.
"You look at tonight, we gave up a 4-on-4 goal, three power-play goals and a 6-on-5 goal," Predators coach John Hynes said. "Those are some special situations that we have to do a better job of in those areas."
Wheeler scored an empty-net goal at 16:46 to make it 5-2. He scored two goals in his first 30 games.
"For us to be successful, you need your best players," Jets coach Dave Lowry said. "They stayed with the game. We got down early and we didn't waver. We bent, and I really liked the resiliency, and I really liked the fact that our top guys dug in and really found a way to win."
NOTES: Wheeler's five points tied his NHL career high (Nov. 9, 2018; one goal, four assists against the Colorado Avalanche). ... Connor has scored 157 goals with 143 assists in 350 NHL games. ... Predators forward Nick Cousins was injured colliding with teammate Luke Kunin in the second period. Cousins returned to the game but did not play in the third period. Hynes did not have an update.