Connor leads Jets past Pens with Gordie Howe hat trick

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This article was published 22/11/2024 (315 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PITTSBURGH — Of all the surprising things the Winnipeg Jets have done so far this season, the sight of leading scorer and former Lady Byng winner Kyle Connor dropping the gloves and throwing haymakers here on Friday night — with Sidney Crosby of all people — has to be right at the very top of the list.

“We’re not taking s—-t from anybody,” Connor told the Free Press inside the visiting locker room at PPG Paints Arena.

This team is something else, folks.

A 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins to kick off a season-long six game road trip improves Winnipeg’s record to a ridiculous 17-3-0. But the biggest jaw-dropper was Connor using his hands for both good AND evil in recording what might be the unlikeliest Gordie Howe Hat Trick (goal, assist, fight) in NHL history.

“Something that you don’t go in the game really achieving or looking for,” said Connor, who won the league award for most gentlemanly player in 2021-22 for taking just two minor penalties in 79 games while posting career highs in goals (47), assists (46) and points (93).

“The guys were calling back, obviously, hooting and hollering, and when I got the empty-netter they let me know,” said Connor, who is on pace for an even better offensive campaign with 13 goals and 13 assists through 20 games.

“It was cool a moment to share. And happy we were able to get the win.”

He can kiss that trophy goodbye this year, given that he’s already up to 11 penalty minutes (three minors, one major).

“Guys won’t come near him now that they can see that he he’ll drop them,” joked head coach Scott Arniel, who hopes Connor’s first fight is also his last.

“Great that he got a Gordie Howe hat trick but I do not want to see my top goal scorer dropping the gloves. But that’s just the compete in KC. It was one of those things that nobody expected and it’s just part of the game.”

Let’s break this one down further.

1) Tale of the tape: It all began with a play in the opening minute of the third period, as Connor was trying to protect the puck from Crosby and braced himself for contact. It was essentially a reverse hit, which has become a staple in hockey lately, and Crosby was knocked to the ice and clearly frustrated.

On a night when he entered play one goal away from 600 in his career, the Jets held him without a shot on goal as his punchless Penguins were on their way to a 15th loss in 22 games (7-11-4).

“Sid’s trying to fire his group up and drag them into the fight. For KC, he’s just trying to create space,” is how Arniel saw it.

Crosby, who began the night with nine career fights, was clearly the aggressor and given the additional minor for roughing on top of the majors, and to Pittsburgh’s credit they looked a lot more competitive from that point on including a Michael Bunting power play goal a few minutes later that made it a 3-1 game and spoil Connor Hellebuyck’s bid for a fourth shutout of the year.

“They obviously came out and felt they needed from something, playing physical and give them credit they played hard there in the third,” said Connor, who both landed and received a solid blow.

“Whatever it was, I think for us to be able to weather that storm, and persevere and kind of get contributions from everybody, up and down. I think it was a full team win. That’s kind of been the story of this team the whole year.”

Connor was asked if he’s ever been in a fight of any kind in his life.

“I’ve got a couple of brothers, so if you count that,” he replied.

2) Fast start from a familiar trio: With six games in six cities (and three different time zones) over the next 10 nights, the Jets were looking to get off on the right foot. Or skate.

That’s no problem for the trio of Adam Lowry, Nino Niederreiter and Mason Appleton, who always start on time and put Winnipeg up 1-0 just 82 seconds into the game. An aggressive forecheck by Appleton and Lowry created a turnover which Niederreiter pounced on for his eighth goal of the year.

“You knew that Pittsburgh was going to come out and they were going to get after us. I thought we did a great job. That’s a great start,” said Arniel.

“It gets them back on their heels and maybe some negative thoughts, whatever it might be, but I just liked the way the first couple of periods went. We actually played a pretty good road game to get things started.”

3) Birthday boy: Turning 32 felt pretty good for Vlad Namestnikov, who decided to light the lamp rather than blow out any candles.

His goal early in the second period gave Winnipeg a 2-0 lead, coming after a nice stretch pass from Nikolaj Ehlers and then a rebound created by his own initial shot.

“Usually not my best games on my birthdays, so that was good,” said the versatile forward, who is now up to six snipes on the season.

“Not the best shot on the first one but kind of continued my momentum and just land there. Kind of whacked at it and it went in.”

Namestnikov, who never shies away from physicality, said the Connor scrap was the icing on the proverbial cake.

“We have a bunch of guys that are feisty and just want to win and set the tone and get dirty and fight sometimes,” he said. “We all stand in for each other and fight for each other.”

4) Is something up with Scheifele?: The top line of Connor, Mark Scheifele and Gabe Vilardi were on the ice for 18 faceoffs on Friday. Scheifele, the centre, took just two of them (going 1-1). Vilardi, who played some centre in junior and with the Los Angeles Kings but has been used as a winger, took the other 16 (going 11-5).

It’s worth noting that Scheifele, who had a hat trick in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers, missed Wednesday’s practice due to what was described as maintenance.

Is it possible he’s battling an injury that prohibits him from taking most draws, especially since he’s still otherwise playing the centre position in all other aspects?

“Gabe’s really good at faceoffs,” is all Arniel would offer up post-game, with a bit of a smirk.

Alrighty then.

Vilardi made it 3-0 Winnipeg with 59 seconds left in the second period as he one-timed a beautiful Connor pass for his eighth of the year. Josh Morrissey had made a stellar play at the blue-line to keep the puck in the offensive zone with the Jets on the power play.

5) Afterburner:

Key play: Nino Niederreiter’s tally on the first shot of the game made it crystal clear the Jets had come to play and immediately put the fragile Penguins in a hole.

Three stars:

1. Winnipeg LW Kyle Connor: Goal, assist, fight

2. Winnipeg LW Nino Niederreiter: Goal

3. Winnipeg D Josh Morrissey: Assist

6) Extra, extra: Both teams went 1-for-3 with the power play.

Hellebuyck finished with 17 saves on 18 shots, while Jarry — who has now given up a goal on the first shot of the game in four of his six starts — stopped 26 of 29.

Defenceman Dylan Coghlan was a healthy scratch for the 20th straight game, while forward David Gustafsson was parked in the press box for the 19th time in 20 games.

The Jets flew to Nashville immediately after and will face the Predators on Saturday night at 6 p.m. CT. Backup goalie Eric Comrie is expected to make his fifth start of the year.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg