BILLECK: Scheifele, Connor clicked at the right time

Content of the article

If the Colorado Avalanche give Mark Scheifele an inch, they'll have a big problem on their hands, allowing Kyle Connor to go a mile.

Content of the article

Go back and watch Winnipeg's 1-0 goal in Tuesday night's 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken.

Content of the article

Scheifele took the puck from under the goal line and passed it to Connor who was sitting on the threshold within milliseconds.

Seattle blueliner Adam Larsson could only shake his head.

“He does it in his sleep,” Connor said of Scheifele's wizardry.

Later, Scheifele was at it again, this time feeding the puck to Josh Morrissey, who single-handedly picked off Connor on the doorstep to make it 2-1.

Winnipeg's top line had a great game against the Kraken. They've been playing really well lately, and that really solidified the team's lead going into their first-round series against the Avs.

Content of the article

Content of the article

Of course, Cale Makar, Samuel Girard and Devon Toews will provide a tough test for the defense. But if Scheifele and Connor feel that way, the former in 2017-18 and the latter against Edmonton a few seasons ago, watch out.

Scheifele's streak in Tuesday's win, Connor said after the game, is the key to success.

“The first time you get the puck, you have to move your feet, you have to take quick steps,” said the team leader with 34 goals. “Everyone has to be on the same page, everyone as a unit.

“If one guy doesn't do his job, it slows everyone down. In our neutral zone, when we press teams and two forwards, we turn over a lot of pucks and get a player with the puck in the middle.”

Content of the article

This is how Connor scored his first goal of the game.

But this is what they are doing in the neutral zone.

Connor: “We're not hanging up (there).” “For us to be a little bit more mature and I think that created a lot more offense in their zone.”

A few weeks ago, head coach Rick Bowness asked why Connor and Scheifele were still trying to work things out.

They had Nikolaj Ehlers, ready to step in and fix their defensive woes on the line. But the return to the Connor-Scheifele tandem worked, as Ellers found a perfect home on the left side of Sean Monahan.

It came with the formation of Winnipeg as a team. Realize that players like Scheifele and Connor will have to lead the charge.

Content of the article

They have, and the team has won seven.

“It's easier to see it firsthand now because we've been doing it for two years,” Bowness said. “It's a little easier to recognize and they have to buy again, and they did.”

Bowness watches as Connor skates on both ends of the ice.

He got engaged again.

“I know he's scoring and doing things, but watch him come back,” Bowness said. When you see that in your player, you know you're fully engaged, and he's an elite offensive player. When he plays, he gets those opportunities and he buries them.”

Those backchecks and buy-ins will be needed to advance to a best-of-seven series next week with the 2022 champions.

Content of the article

Heading into Tuesday, Winnipeg was tied for second in the division and had home-ice advantage against the Avs.

But the biggest news of the past week has been the Jets moving from the first seed to the fourth seed ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

• Of course, the Jets will want to shake off the type of turnover they experienced in the second period against Seattle. They gave up a 2-on-1 that bailed them out before Connor Hellebuyck gave up a 2-on-0, where Hellebuyck had no chance. Bowness sums it up as bluntly as he often does. “The whole puck control was horrible in the second period,” he said. “It has nothing to do with the structure. It was all about puck control. (The players) recognized that as well. We're making them transition, we're giving them opportunities, we're allowing them to get back into the game with our puck possession, puck control. That's the biggest problem we've had in the second period.”

Content of the article

• After taking a 3-1 lead in the second, the Jets came back much better in the third. They allowed four points against in the first and second periods, but when the game was deadlocked, they allowed just one in the third period and limited Seattle to just three 5-on-5 shooting. A Jets team that can win those moments in tight games is a must in the playoffs, and they did so very well in the first half of the season.

• The Jets have three goals in the William M. Jennings Trophy race. Winnipeg allowed 197 goals, Florida was three goals short of 200. If they can hold Vancouver to two goals or fewer on Thursday, the Jets will win the Cup. In case of a tie, both teams share the honor as there is no tiebreaker.

• From what I've heard, Game 1 of the Jets-Avs first round series starts on Monday with an 8:45pm CT start time. The game follows Game 2 of the first-round series between Toronto and Boston in the East. Don't shoot the messenger.

[email protected]

X: @scottbilleck

Content of the article