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Home , Andrew Copp, Blake Wheeler, Brandon Tanev, Captain (ice hockey), Christian Wolanin, Craig Wolanin

Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/wheeler-muckers-lead-way-to-victory- 478602163.html

Wheeler, muckers lead way to victory and Lowry's line key players in Jets' 49th win

By: Jason Bell

KANATA, Ont. — The Jets' fourth-liners are driving the bus right now.

Towering 's checking unit, with and on the wings, got the Jets to where they needed to go Monday night — although it was a mighty bumpy ride.

The line generated three goals for the visitors, including Tanev's third short-handed effort of the season, to propel Winnipeg to a 6-5 victory over the Senators in a loosey-goosey track meet at .

Copp scored 2:42 into the game, his seventh of the year, and helped set up 's seventh on a blast from the point. scored his first of two goals just 21 seconds later.

Ottawa, playing its final home game of what's been a terrible 2017-18 campaign, showed some spunk in clawing back, pushing the Jets right to the buzzer.

"It's two points, it's a win," summed up Wheeler, who netted his 21st and 22nd. "There's obviously areas we can be better but we scored one more than they did."

The Jets' captain was quick to heap praise on the hard-working Lowry line, which has six goals and eight assists in its last four games — highlighted by Tanev's hat trick against the a week ago.

"They've been playing great, got us going here tonight," he said. "It's great to see them playing with a lot of confidence. It seems like every shift they're in the offensive zone. They do a lot of the dirty work for us, and allows some of the other guys to have better matchups and play in some more impactful situations, so those guys are really key to what we try to do."

Matt Duchene swatted in his second goal of the game with just 65 seconds left as the Sens played with double the personnel of the Jets. Ben Chiarot and were in the box, and Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson was on the bench in favour of an extra attacker, creating a rare 6-on-3.

But the Jets held on, improving to 2-1-0 on their last road trip of the regular season.

Winnipeg (49-20-10), second in the Central Division, will begin the post-season at home next week. Ottawa (27-41-11), meanwhile, has dropped eight of its last nine games and is 30st in the league, three points ahead of the last-place .

Mathieu Perreault got some huge relief, scoring a power-play goal with just over five minutes left — his first goal in 20 games — to give the visitors a two-goal bulge.

"You almost forget how it feels to score goals, really," said Perreault, who did a post-goal happy dance in front of friends and family in the crowd. "It was certainly a great feeling and it ended up being the game-winner, so it was a big goal and I’m really happy I finally found the back of the net."

Kyle Connor had a couple of tremendous chances to net his 30th, the best coming on a 2-on-0 with , but couldn't connect. Paul Stastny hasn't scored in eight games, Patrik Laine has gone seven games without a goal, Nik Ehlers hasn't scored in five.

The muckers came through again, though.

"The last three or four games we've been pretty hot as a line. We feel like we're doing all the right things and when we get on the puck and force turnovers, I think we're in good spots to capitalize from there," said Copp. "We've got some hot sticks and (Tanev) is shooting the puck as good as I've ever seen him shoot the puck."

Tanev's drive, off the back bar, was in and out so quickly the goal light didn't go on.

"They’re doing it all right. They’re about as good at both ends of the ice as we’ve got right now. They’re hard on pucks and they’re making plays," said head coach . "(There's) just enough skill in their game to generate offence, but also not a lot of risk in what they’re doing. It’s about as good as it gets."

Tanev finished with more ice time (15 minutes, 11 seconds) than Wheeler (13:45), Scheifele (14:01) or Laine (13:32), although he was a busy penalty killer. Ottawa had five man-advantage chances and cashed in on two.

"That’s what makes good teams great, when you’re fourth line and your third line, everybody is chipping in. This is how you win games," said Perreault.

Thomas Chabot had a two-goal game for Ottawa, while fellow blue-liner , son of former NHLer , fired his first NHL goal.

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 32 shots for his 42nd victory of the year, although it wasn't his best evening of work. But the Jets weren't nearly as sound defensively as they were two nights ago in in a 3-1 triumph over the Leafs.

Maurice has stated a couple of times recently he won't give his players a night off with the sole purpose of preventing an injury at the worst-possible juncture.

He's of the mind that maintaining a rhythm is more critical than resting players during the final week of the 2017-18 NHL season. He wants no hint of rust and no bad habits worming their way in as the Jets put the finishing touches on a franchise-best regular season and prepare for what the organization hopes is a lengthy playoff run.

Dustin Byfuglien was the only regular given a reprieve, replaced on the blue line by rookie Tucker Poolman. The rest of the regular hands were on deck.

Maurice said the hulking veteran rearguard will return to the lineup tonight in .

Tyler Myers took a to the top of his knee in the first period and immediately went down in pain. He wasn't bearing weight on the leg his way off the ice and down the tunnel. But the 6-8 defenceman returned a couple of shifts later.

"You know what, there’s nothing you can do about it. You hope it doesn’t happen, but you can’t look into the crystal ball and see who is going to get hit with a tough shot block," said Maurice. "It’s a full-contact pro sport and we do our best to keep them in a rhythm." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/manitoba-moose/finnish-star-could-make- nhl-debut-with-jets-tuesday-478569253.html

Finnish star could make NHL debut with Jets Tuesday

By: Jason Bell

OTTAWA — Sami Niku has done a remarkable job adjusting to a smaller workspace, but it's likely he'll make his NHL debut on one of hockey's biggest stages.

The Finnish defenceman, enjoying a strong start to his North American pro career with the , received a promotion by the on Sunday and was a spectator in Ottawa Monday.

Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice indicated the offensively gifted blue-liner will likely be in the lineup Tuesday in Montreal when the Canadiens host the Jets.

Niku said he's excited the moment he's been eagerly awaiting is finally at hand.

"This has been my dream my whole life and now it's very close, to play in the NHL," said the 21- year-old, sporting the lengthy -like locks. "Actually, I knew that they might call me up, but of course it was a surprise."

Niku, listed at 6-0, 194 pounds on the Moose roster, has been cruising in his rookie AHL campaign, scoring 15 goals and helping set up 37 others in 71 games for the Jets affiliate. The product of Haapavesi, Finland was tied for the AHL lead in points by a defenceman and tied for second in goals by a blue-liner, as of Monday morning.

Altering his style — so dynamic in the Finnish Elite League on the wide ice — to be most effective on the more compact rink took some getting used to, he said.

"My first maybe 10 games wasn't so good because the game is a bit different here than in Finland, but after that I'm very happy how I've played," said Niku, who lived with countryman Patrik Laine for a month when he first arrived in Winnipeg. "It's because (the ice) is smaller and I don't have so much time with the puck. I had to do some decisions faster when I have the puck, I maybe have to chip that puck over the blue line and stuff like that.

"It has been more physical than in Europe, but no problem. Maybe one or two (big hits) but no worries."

The Jets selected him in the seventh round (198th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.

He received the good news from Manitoba head coach Pascal Vincent after the team's 5-4 loss Saturday to the .

“He told me that I really deserve that and congratulations," said Niku, whose family visited a month ago but won't be back for his debut. "My defensive game has improved a lot, actually, so it's the biggest thing why I have played so good."

Laine and Joel Armia now have another member on the team's Finnish force.

"It's pretty amazing to get another Finnish guy in the locker room. He's been awesome with the Moose and he's totally earned this," said Laine. "Hopefully, he's enjoying this and seeing what it's like to be here every day. I'm excited for him."

Maurice said all reports from the Moose coaching staff suggest the young man — who turned heads at the Young Stars tournament in Penticton, B.C., last fall — is well-prepared for the NHL game.

"The numbers are exceptionally impressive and his game has developed over the course of the year. Really good-skating, puck-moving defenceman. We're interested in seeing him play in an NHL game and up the pace," he said.

"He's clearly gained some confidence in his play over the course of the year, as you would with those kind of numbers. You feel good with the puck and you make a lot of things happen. Learning the pro game, especially coming over from Europe, takes some time, but he's made some really good strides in that department."

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There's a good chance goalie Steve Mason will get the start Tuesday against the Canadiens.

The 29-year-old Oakville, Ont., product hasn't played since March 6 when he shut out the in a 3-0 Winnipeg victory before coming down with a knee problem. That start was his first in almost two months after suffering his second concussion of the year.

Mason has been a full participant in practice for more than a week.

"We want to make sure when he comes back to the rink (Tuesday) that he feels sharp, but you'll see him soon," offered Maurice.

Eric Comrie will back up goalie Connor Hellebuyck in Ottawa.

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/jets-earn-victory-over-senators-as-road- trip-continues

Jets earn victory over Senators as road trip continues

By Ken Wiebe

KANATA — When it comes to closing out the regular season for a team that has already clinched a playoff berth, there is no fast button.

There was no way for the Winnipeg Jets to skip the final four games against non-playoff opponents and move directly to the chase for the — even though you can be sure they would prefer to.

It’s easy to talk about keeping up good habits and the like, but as the Jets faced the on Monday night at Canadian Tire Centre, the game turned into a track meet.

After jumping out to a 3-0 lead and threatening to blow the Senators out of the water, the Jets got a bit loose at times and had to hang onto their collective hats in what finished off as a 6-5 victory.

“It was a good start for us. We probably didn’t stay on it as much as we wanted, (didn’t) stay as engaged we needed to,” said Jets forward Andrew Copp, who opened the scoring at 2:42 of the first period. “It was kind of a ping-pong game, not a lot of clean plays, little bit of sloppiness but huge we can find a way to win those games.

“It can be hard, especially when we’re trying to do the right things and a lucky pass goes through and all of a sudden it looks like we’re in bad spots. They’re not afraid to open up the game but we just need to worry about ourselves and get into the right habits and details for next week.”

Obviously, in a run-and-gun game like this one there were plenty of things the Jets could have done better.

One of those issues was discipline, as the Jets were shorthanded five times — including a late two-man disadvantage.

But whenever the Senators got within a goal, the Jets found a way to answer.

Thanks to a goal from (his second of the game and 26th of the season) with 65 seconds left to go in regulation (which came during a six-on-three after the Senators pulled the goalie in favour of an extra attacker), the Jets were forced to endure some nervous moments late in the contest.

At the end of the day, it was one of those games where the Jets will simply take the two points and make their way to the next destination.

“I’d be real careful about dismissing the win,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “You can’t look at the standings. It’s a good road win. We’re taking it.”

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

In this case, Maurice can spin it any way he likes.

That wasn’t the recipe for how the Jets need to play once the playoffs arrive.

He knows it and the Jets players know it.

It would also be silly to expect playoff-style intensity and execution when facing a team with absolutely nothing but pride on the line.

“It’s two points, it’s a win,” said Jets captain Blake Wheeler, who scored twice to move to 22 goals and 89 points for the season. “There (are) obviously areas we can be better, but we scored one more goal than they did.”

The Jets close out a four-game road trip with a game on Tuesday night against the .

Although Maurice wouldn’t confirm it after the game, Steve Mason is expected to start in goal after missing the past 13 games with a knee injury, while top defence prospect Sami Niku is scheduled to make his NHL debut.

Niku, who was recalled on Sunday, has 15 goals and 52 points in 71 games with the Manitoba Moose this season and is known for his mobility and offensive creativity.

The game-winner was provided by Jets left- Mathieu Perreault, whose power-play marker at 14:38 of the third period was his first tally in 20 games.

“You almost forget how it feels to score goals, really,” said Perreault, who has 17 goals and is now one shy of his career-high. “It ended up being the game-winner, so it was a big goal and I’m really happy I finally found the back of the net. Hopefully now, they can come in a bunch.”

As for goals coming in bunches, Jets forward Brandon Tanev has doubled his production from four to eight during the past four games.

Thanks to his third shorthanded marker of the season, which came at 6:25 of the second period and restored a two-goal cushion at 4-2, Tanev has four goals and six points during his past four games.

Josh Morrissey had the other goal for the Jets, who got 32 saves from Connor Hellebuyck in what was his 42nd win of the season.

When you combine Tanev’s offensive explosion with two goals and an assist for Copp and five assists for Lowry, the Jets checking line has been doing more than just defending since being reunited.

“They’ve been playing great, got us going here,” said Wheeler. “It’s great to see them playing with a lot of confidence. It seems like every shift they’re in the offensive zone. They do a lot of the dirty work for us and (it) allows some of the other guys to have better matchups and play in some more impactful situations, so those guys are really key to what we try to do.” http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/jets-set-to-give-promising-d-man- opportunity

FIVE KEYS: Jets vs Canadiens

By Ken Wiebe

Winnipeg Jets at Montreal Canadiens

6:30 pm CT, . TV: TSN3. Radio: TSN 1290

THE BIG MATCHUP

Nikolaj Ehlers vs Jonathan Drouin The former Halifax Mooseheads teammates in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League have become big pieces of their respective teams. Ehlers is knocking on the door of his first 30-goal season, while Drouin is third in team scoring after being acquired in a summer deal with the . Which offensive dynamo will have a bigger impact in this contest?

KEYS TO THE GAME

No rest With just three games left in the regular season, the Jets are set for their final road game until the playoffs. It’s also the ninth and final time the Jets play on consecutive days. Playing on the second night of those back-to-backs, the Jets are 4-3-1 so far this season. Part of the reason the Jets have enjoyed some success, under those circumstances, is the ability to roll four lines.

Monitor the debut The much-anticipated debut of top defence prospect Sami Niku is set for tonight and he’s eager to get his first taste of NHL action after participating in his first morning skate with the Jets on Monday. Niku, who was recalled on Sunday, is a smart and mobile blue-liner who has good offensive instincts and has made a smooth transition during his first season playing in North American, chipping in 15 goals and 52 points in 71 games with the Manitoba Moose of the .

Welcome back After missing 13 games after having his knee scoped, Jets goalie Steve Mason is expected to be back between the pipes for the first time since Mar. 6. Mason turned aside all 31 shots he faced in that game against the New York Rangers and it’s important for him to get back into action before the post-season arrives. Mason has appeared in only 12 games so far with the Jets, including 11 starts and he made one other start with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Welcome back II Jets forward Jack Roslovic found himself in unfamiliar territory of late, sitting out the previous eight games as a healthy scratch. Before the return of Brandon Tanev, it looked like Roslovic was going to be tough to take out of the lineup, as he scored a goal and added an assist in his last game against the . But Tanev is part of the Jets shutdown line, so this is an opportunity for Roslovic to show he’ll be ready when called upon.

Gallagher a bright spot It’s been another incredibly long season for the Canadiens, but it was a breakout campaign for feisty forward . The fifth-round choice (147th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft) has already produced career-highs in goals (30) and points (51) in 79 games this season. Gallagher has three goals, six points and 10 penalty minutes in 11 career games against the Jets. http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/hutchinson-hits-skid

Hutchinson hits skid

By Paul Friesen

The numbers suggest Michael Hutchinson hasn’t taken his latest demotion very well.

In three starts since the Winnipeg Jets sent him back down to the Manitoba Moose, the 28-year- old goalie is 0-3, while giving up an average of four goals per game, with a save percentage well below .900.

But his coach says Hutchinson’s numbers don’t tell the whole story.

“His attitude is right,” Pascal Vincent said. “He’s good around the team. The games he’s played, I can’t fault him on anything. He gave us a chance to be in those games.

“It’s a function a little bit of how we were in front of him. We were able to take away the second and third chances earlier in the season. Right now that’s something we need to work on.”

Hutchinson was one of the AHL’s top goalies before the Jets called him up to replace the injured Steve Mason, and still carries a 15-5-5 record with a .933 save percentage.

Twice he was sidelined with concussions while with the Jets.

But the Moose are also a different team than they were early in the season, weakened by injuries and call-ups to the NHL team.

Hutchinson has turned down interview requests since he was sent down last week. http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/woods-makes-most-of-second-chance

Woods makes most of second chance

By Paul Friesen

From Fairbanks, Alaska, to Florida to downtown Winnipeg – it’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Justin Woods. Woods is the newest member of the Winnipeg Jets’ AHL farm team, the Manitoba Moose.

But how he got here is anything but your typical college-to-the-pros story.

Woods’ story includes a scary bout with a rare cancer and the perspective that comes with getting a second chance. “I’m pretty much a new person from it,” the 24-year-old defenceman was saying, Monday.

Four years ago this month, Woods, a native of Fairbanks, Alaska, was fresh off his freshman season at his home university when he received the news that would forever change his life.

A cyst on his right knee that doctors initially said was probably just a calcium deposit turned out to be Ewing’s Sarcoma.

Woods’ world, as he knew it, came crashing down.

He’d been a free-agent invitee to the Winnipeg Jets development camp, two months later. That opportunity was gone. Missing out on a taste of pro hockey, though, was the least of his concerns.

When doctors say your list of possible prognoses include losing your leg or even your life, hockey dreams take a back seat.

“When someone tells you have cancer, you’re pretty scared at the moment,” Woods acknowledged. “They said I was really lucky because it was very early. So that obviously gave me some positive thinking.”

He’d need it.

After surgery to remove the cyst, he was far from out of the woods.

“After that there was still more cancer in there,” he recalled. “So they had to go back and scrape some off the bone.”

Woods spent nine months undergoing chemotherapy treatments in Seattle, plus another month of radiation, missing the entire 2014-15 college season.

But returning to play hockey was always in the back of his mind.

So were the Jets, it turns out.

“A funny story – they sent me all the gear, anyway,” Woods said of the camp he missed. “They sent it to Seattle so I could be part of it in some way. That was pretty cool of them.”

After making an inspired comeback to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks for the 2015-16 season, Woods got another invitation to the Jets’ 2016 development camp, and this time he made it.

He must have made an impression, too.

Because a couple of weeks ago, when his college season ended, Woods got a shot with the Jacksonville Icemen, the ECHL team affiliated with Jets.

That was all he could have expected from this season.

“I didn’t even bring my passport, because I wasn’t even thinking about any call-ups or anything,” Woods said. “I just wanted to go down there and play hockey and have fun and do my best. And then this news came up.”

The news: after he posted seven points in eight ECHL games, the playoff-bound Moose wanted to take a look at him, signing him late last week.

“I was really honoured and humbled by it,” Woods said. “So I got my passport as quickly as possible and came up here. My family expedited it.

“It’s been a couple of crazy weeks.”

Calling himself a “physical, simple D-man,” the 6-foot-2, 206-pound Woods is an intriguing prospect. In 36 college games this season, he managed nine goals and 11 assists.

But his back story might say as much about him as his statistics.

“It seems like he keeps developing, and we don’t know his ceiling, yet,” Moose coach Pascal Vincent said. “He’s had quite a few battles in the past. Tells a lot about a person. So for him to get a chance and play the game the way he’s been playing is quite tremendous.”

Vincent has already noticed Woods’ heavy shot. It’ll take a game to find out if his skating is up to AHL standards. On the weekend, he just watched.

After what he’s gone through, Woods will certainly have the right attitude.

“It just made me appreciate my days more, and every opportunity I get just make the most of it,” he said. “Because you don’t know if you have the next day. I used to come to the rink sometimes and just not wanting to practise or anything, and just being kind of negative sometimes. And that completely changed my perspective.”

What happens next doesn’t worry him at all.

He’s here to learn all he can, and “just see what happens for next year.”

“Just like my treatment,” Woods said. “Take it day-by-day, shift-by-shift.”

NHL.com https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-ottawa-senators-game-recap/c-297593118

Jets defeat Senators, keep Central hopes alive Wheeler scores twice, Scheifele has two assists for Winnipeg by Callum Fraser / NHL.com Correspondent

OTTAWA -- Blake Wheeler scored twice, and the Winnipeg Jets kept their hopes for first place in the Central Division alive with a 6-5 win against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Monday.

"It was kind of a ping pong game, almost," Jets forward Andrew Copp said. "Not a lot of clean plays made, a little bit of sloppiness, but huge that we can find a way to win those games."

Copp had a goal and an assist, Mark Scheifele had two assists, and Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves for the Jets (49-20-10), who trail the by five points with three games remaining.

"[Each line is] not just out there to hold water," Jets coach Paul Maurice said. "They're out there to drive the pace of the game. Each line over the last month has gotten really hot and been the difference for a lot of wins for us, and we've been pretty fortunate to score the way we have."

Matt Duchene had two goals and an assist, Erik Karlsson had three assists, and Craig Anderson made 34 saves for the Senators (27-41-11).

"We showed some character coming back," Senators coach Guy Boucher said. "But we made too many mistakes defensively to allow us to win."

Wheeler extended the Jets lead to 5-3 when he one-timed a pass from Scheifele on a 2-on-1 at 12:46 of the second period.

Christian Wolanin scored his first NHL goal to make it 5-4 at 4:47 of the third period on a rebound in the slot.

"I was kind of starting to feel a little bit of pressure, having been pointless in six games." Wolanin said. "It was nice to get that, and I truly thought we were going to get back into the game with that, and we did, we just came a little short."

Mathieu Perreault scored a power-play goal at 14:38 to make it 6-4 before Duchene scored to cut it to 6-5 at 18:55 on a 5-on-3. The goal was Duchene's 200th of his career.

"It sucks that it comes in a loss," Duchene said. "But I wanted to get there before the end of the year. I kind of had it circled as a goal to try and get to."

Copp gave the Jets a 1-0 lead at 2:42 of the first period. Josh Morrissey scored to make it 2-0 at 11:36 with a shot from the left point past a screened Anderson.

Wheeler scored 21 seconds later to make it 3-0 on a one-timer from the left circle. made it 3-1 at 18:26.

Duchene cut it to 3-2 at 1:28 of the second period with a power-play goal after his pass redirected off Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba's stick past Hellebuyck.

Brandon Tanev gave Winnipeg a 4-2 lead with a shorthanded goal at 6:25. Chabot made it 4-3 at 11:58, scoring into an open net off a rebound.

Goal of the game Perreault's goal at 14:38 of the third period.

Save of the game Hellebuyck's save on Mike Hoffman at 19:41 of the second period.

Highlight of the game Tanev's goal at 6:25 of the second period.

They said it "You almost forget how it feels to score goals, really. It's certainly a great feeling. Ended up being the game-winner. It was a big goal, so I'm really happy I finally found the back of the net." -- Jets forward Mathieu Perreault on scoring his first goal in 20 games

"I'm a social guy. I read a lot of things and I'm not reading too much into it. But obviously, the word is out there from you guys. It's not something I've thought about going into this game, and it's not something I'm going to think about for a while." -- Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson on whether it was his last home game in a Senators uniform

Need to know It was Hellebuyck's 42nd win, tying him with Mike Richter (1993-94, New York Rangers) for most in a season by a United State-born goalie in NHL history, one behind Tom Barrasso (1992-93, ). ... The Jets are 8-1-0 in their past nine games. … The Senators are 1-8-0 in their past nine. … Karlsson has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in the past nine games. … Jets forward Patrik Laine doesn't have a point in the past seven games.

What's next Jets: At the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; TSN2, RDS, TSN3, NHL.TV) Senators: At the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; SN360, SN1, TVAS, MSG-B, NHL.TV)

Canadian Press http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets-ottawa-senators-1.4602396

Senators fall to Jets in last home game of season Winnipeg continues battle for playoff position in Central division

The Canadian Press

Erik Karlsson picked up the game puck before skating to the locker-room after Monday night's game.

While he downplayed the significance of the act, it could be the last thing he did in a Senators jersey on home ice.

"I don't know why I did it, it was just laying there," Karlsson said after a 6-5 loss to the playoff- bound Winnipeg Jets. "I didn't really think about that [being my last game] and I didn't think that you guys [the media] would ever pick that up either, but there's a lot of cameras out there."

The Senators will wrap up their season with three road games, but there's a chance Karlsson will not make the trip.

The Ottawa captain's future has been cause for speculation for much of the season. While the Senators say they want to re-sign the 27-year-old, Karlsson could be moved at the NHL Draft or over the summer if the two sides can't come to an agreement.

Karlsson has one year remaining on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent following the 2018-19 season, but the team has said they would like a deal done this off-season.

Karlsson said he hadn't given much thought to Monday's game potentially being his last with the Senators.

Blake Wheeler's two goals lead the Jets to a 6-5 win over the Senators, keeping their hopes of winning the Central Division alive. 0:28 "I haven't until now. Obviously I'm a social guy and I read a lot of things and I don't read too much into it, but obviously the word is out there from you guys that it might be my last home game," he said. "But it's not something I thought about going into this game and it's not something I'll probably think about for a while."

Despite the loss, the 17,122 fans at Canadian Tire Centre were treated to an entertaining game as the Senators rallied back from a 3-0 deficit.

Blake Wheeler scored twice to lead the Jets (49-20-10) and Andrew Copp, Josh Morrissey, Brandon Tanev and Mathieu Perreault also scored. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 31 shots.

Winnipeg chasing Nashville The Jets trail Nashville by five points for the Central Division lead with three games remaining in the regular season.

Thomas Chabot and Matt Duchene each scored twice and Christian Wolanin scored his first for Ottawa (27-41-11). Craig Anderson made 34 saves.

"Fans probably loved seeing 11 goals, but for a coach not so much," said Ottawa coach Guy Boucher. "We did enough offensively to win the game, but when you don't defend as well as you attack offensively it makes it difficult."

Trailing 5-3 to start the third, the Senators made it a one-goal game early in the period on Wolanin's first NHL goal. He beat Hellebuyck glove side, but the Jets regained their two-goal lead at 14:38 on the power play as Perreault jumped on a rebound in front.

With 1:05 remaining, Duchene scored his second, and 200th career, on the power play to make it 6-5, but Ottawa couldn't score the equalizer.

"I'm excited, but it sucks that it comes in a loss," said Duchene. "I wanted to get there before the end of the year. I kind of had it circled as a goal to try and get to so it's nice to get that."

Ottawa trailed 3-1 to start the second and cut the lead to one as Duchene scored a power-play goal, but the Jets replied with Tanev's short-handed goal.

Ottawa made it 4-3 when Chabot scored his second of the night for his first multi-goal game, but Winnipeg replied again with Wheeler picking up his second.

"They played hard and didn't quit so you have to give them credit," said Wheeler. "It's two points, it's a win. Obviously there's areas we can be better, but we scored one more goal than they did."

The Jets jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first on goals from Copp, Morrissey and Wheeler.

The Senators managed to get on the scoreboard late in the period as Chabot beat Hellebuyck. Karlsson earned an assist on the play, giving him his fifth straight 60-point season and seventh of his career.

Montreal Gazette http://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/hockey-inside-out/winnipeg-jets-at-canadiens-five- things-you-should-know

Winnipeg Jets at Canadiens: Five things you should know

By Pat Hickey, Montreal Gazette

Here are five things you should know about the Canadiens-Jets game at the Bell Centre Tuesday (7:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN-690 Radio):

Something to cheer: This has not been a banner season for the Canadiens or for Carey Price. But you can expect Price to get an ovation when the Canadiens announce that this marks his 557th game and he will move ahead of the late Jacques Plante for the most games played by a Canadiens goaltender. There would be louder cheers if Price wasn’t going into this game with only 16 wins, 21 fewer than last season and his lowest total for a full season. He’s fifth on the team’s all-time win list with 195, and that’s 119 behind Plante.

Winnipeg revisited: This is the second of two games between these teams and the Canadiens were 5-4 winners in overtime when they visited Winnipeg on Nov. 4. To give you an idea of how things have changed since then, defenceman Jeff Petry is the only Canadiens goal-scorer from that game who will be dressed for round two. Andrew Shaw, who scored twice in that game, is finished for the season because of a concussion. Tomas Plekanec was traded to Toronto at the deadline. And , who scored the winner in overtime on a power play, is out for the season with a knee injury.

Canada’s other team: You’ll be hearing a lot about the Maple Leafs in the next few weeks because, well, they are in Toronto, which is the centre of the Canadian media universe. But if you want to be patriotic and can’t bear the idea of rooting for the Leafs, may we suggest jumping on the Jets’ bandwagon. The Jets have the best record of any Canadian team and are second in the Central Division after missing the playoffs in four of their five seasons in Winnipeg, and Paul Maurice deserves some votes for coach of the year.

Wheeler leads the way: Speaking of post-season awards, Blake Wheeler is getting some love from the people who vote for the Hart Trophy, which goes to the most valuable player. Wheeler is having a career season with 87 points, including a league-high 67 assists. He has a strong supporting cast led by Patrik Laine, who has 43 goals while connecting on 18.5 per cent of his shots. Laine is second in the NHL, two behind league leader Alex Ovechkin. The Jets are fifth in the NHL in goals scored with significant contributions from Kyle Connor with 29, Nikolaj Ehlers with 28 and Mark Scheifele with 23.

Balanced effort: The Jets also rank fifth in defence, thanks in large part to the play of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who has been a workhorse. Going into Monday night’s game in Ottawa, Hellebuyck had appeared in 64 of Winnipeg’s 78 games. Those 64 appearances tie Sergei Bobrovsky for tops in the league, and he is one of only five goalies to play more than 60 games this season. Hellebuyck has produced quality to go along with the quantity of his work. He ranks ninth in goals-against average at 2.36, 10th in save percentage at .924, and is tied for second in wins with 41 and is third in shutouts with six.

Ottawa Sun http://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/senators-fall-short-against-jets-in-final- home-game-of-the-season

Senators fall short against Jets in final home game of the season

By Bruce Garrioch

On Fan Appreciation Night, the Ottawa Senators and their faithful were left with an empty feeling.

The 30th-place Senators came up short against the high-flying Winnipeg Jets after Ottawa dropped a wild 6-5 decision in front of 17,122 on Monday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.

And, perhaps the most significant move of the night came at the final buzzer when captain Erik Karlsson, after a three-point effort, fished the puck out of the net in what may have been his final home game in an Ottawa uniform.

“I don’t know why I did it, it was just laying there, and I didn’t really think about (it being the last home) game and I didn’t really think that you guys would ever think about that even but there’s a lot of cameras out there,” said Karlsson, who hasn’t decided if he’ll go on the three-game trip.

“I was down there and I saw it was in the net so I just picked it up and decided to keep it. I haven’t (thought about the final home game) until now. I’m a social guy, I read a lot of things and I’m not reading too much into it, but obviously the word is out there from you guys. It’s not something I’ve thought about going into this game and it’s not something I’m going to think about for awhile.”

Despite his efforts along with rookie Thomas Chabot’s first two-g0al game, Christian Wolanin’s first NHL goal, three points from Mike Hoffman and Matt Duchene weren’t enough to get the club the two points.

Blake Wheeler scored twice for the Jets while Mathieu Perrault, Josh Morrissey, Andrew Copp and Brandon Tanev also beat Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson. Connor Helleybuyck wasn’t great, but he made the saves the Jets needed when the Senators pressed to get back in this one.

Duchene made it 6-5 on the power play at 18:55 with the 200th of his career but that was as close as it would get.

“Our effort was outstanding after the first 10-to-12 minutes of the game,” said Duchene. “Our pushback was outstanding. We showed ourselves tonight we can play with any team in the league and we’ve got to remember that coming into the next year.”

Of course, a lot of the pre-game chatter surrounded Karlsson’s future because there are no guarantees he’ll be back next season. The Senators still have three road games left, in Buffalo on Wednesday, Pittsburgh on Friday and Boston on Saturday, but this may have been Ottawa fans’ last glimpse.

General manager has stated the Senators will make Karlsson an offer on July 1 when he’s one year away from unrestricted free agency, but the club did have trade discussions ahead of the Feb. 26th deadline before deciding not to make the move.

“There’s stuff swirling (about Karlsson) so you never know. Whether he’s here next year or not he’s one of the all-time greats of this franchise so it’s a moment he wanted to take,” said Duchene

And, the final result Monday was evidence changes need to be made.

The Senators made this interesting when Wolanin — who made his NHL debut March 22 — cut Winnipeg’s lead to 5-4 took a pass in front and beat Hellebuyck from the front of the net at 4:57 of the third. Perrault scored what turned out to be the winner at 14:38 of the period.

“It was pretty special to score on home ice, pretty special to score my first NHL goal and even cooler to see the first person congratulating me was one of the best defencemen in the world,” said Wolanin.

The Jets held a 5-3 lead after 40 minutes and the Senators were outshot 26-24. Coach Guy Boucher took a risky move by pulling Anderson with only 3.3 seconds left and his club on the power play. Mark Scheifele just missed the open net on a clear as the clock expired.

Not long after Chabot’s second of the game at 11:58 of the second into a wide-open net got the Senators back to within striking distance, Wheeler’s second of the game at 12:46 gave the Jets some much-needed breathing room with Ottawa trying to get back into this.

Give the Senators credit, they pushed back.

The Jets restored their two-goal lead when Tanev scored his 13th shorthanded at 6:25 of the second. For the second time in the game, the officials missed the goal and had to go upstairs to confirm it had beaten Anderson to give the Jets a 4-2 advantage.

Duchene scored his 25th of the season on the power play at 1:28 of the second to pull cut Winnipeg’s lead to 3-2 and make the picture look a lot better. His shot from the slot hit Winnipeg defenceman Jacob Trouba in front and changed direction before beating Hellebuyck

The Senators were no match for the Jets early and trailed 3-1 at the end of the first period and were completely outplayed.

Wheeler scored his 36th of the season at 11:57 of the period to give the Jets the three-goal lead. The puck went in and out of the net so fast the officials had to go upstairs to see the replay. Anderson knew it was in right away and there was no shock when it was ruled a goal once the horn stopped the play.

Only 21 seconds earlier, the Jets pulled out to a 2-0 lead when Morrissey beat Anderson from the blueline through traffic. The Senators finally got on the board when Chabot scored his eighth of the season by beating Hellebuyck from the slot with only

Like they have so many times this season, the Senators fell behind early to the Jets. This came at the hands of Copp who was left all alone in front to pick up a juice rebound from Anderson and beat him on the stick side only 2:42 into the first period.

Global Winnipeg https://globalnews.ca/news/4117900/winnipeg-jets-not-fans-of-ticket-re-sellers-like-stubhub/

Winnipeg Jets not fans of ticket re-sellers like StubHub

By Christian Aumell Reporter Global News

If you want to be part of the Whiteout at a Winnipeg Jets playoff game this month, but you aren’t a season ticket holder, the team would rather you steer clear of websites like StubHub and SeatGeek.

Despite not knowing who the Jets will be playing or when the games will happen, you can already find third-party sites selling tickets.

But Kevin Donnelly, Senior VP of Venues and Entertainment with True North, has a warning if that’s the path you wish to choose.

“I would not be exaggerating if I told you every single event we do, we have somebody that has bought a ticket from an unauthorized re-seller site and shows up, and the ticket is invalid,” Donnelly said.

“That is the biggest bone of contention we have with the resale market. There’s bad actors out there and they’re selling fraudulent tickets.”

The Toronto Blue Jays came under fire last week when people found out the team receives secret commissions from sales on StubHub, who has an relationship with Major League Baseball.

The NHL has no such agreement. Instead, clubs allow season ticket holders to sell their tickets through the Ticketmaster-run Seat Exchange.

“Lots of sports franchises have relationships with brokers. It allows you to put tickets on a discounted level out there without you taking heat for it,” Donnelly explained. “There are lots of examples of why sports teams who have too much inventory and not enough demand would want to use a discount service to get some tickets out there.”

Ticketmaster is no saint, either, having been sued for deceiving customers. The company has also faced criticism for not doing enough to thwart ticket-buying bots.

If you’re a season ticket holder using the Seat Exchange, you pay a commission fee to sell the tickets at no more than the walk-up price, which still nets a profit for the seller.

“It allows us to say this is a legitimate, guaranteed port where you can get a ticket. Any other site, you are not guaranteed it’s an actual, valid ticket,” Donnelly said. “I think the idea of knowing who’s selling your tickets and knowing who’s buying your tickets is something that we value a lot. We’d rather sell to our fans directly, know who’s buying, what their patterns are, how to treat them and learn what they expect, instead of having somebody else try to do that for us.”

General playoff tickets for the Jets will go on sale Tuesday, April 10 at 10 a.m., though just over 1,000 will be available to the public. Those hoping to get a seat can go through the team’s Seat Exchange site as well.

CBC Winnipeg http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/emergency-winnipeg-jets-goalie-gavin-mchale- 1.4602469

Beer-league goalie on Jets' roster of emergency Winnipeg netminders Gavin McHale, 30, ready in off chance another goalie needed during playoffs

Bryce Hoye · CBC News

Odds are that Gavin McHale won't end up between the pipes for the Jets this playoff season, but that hasn't stopped the beer-league netminder from dreaming.

"I just got goosebumps just thinking about it," said McHale, 30, one of a few emergency goalies in the Jets' roster with a normal day job who could in theory get tapped to suit up for the NHL team, given the right circumstances.

It's a rare day when someone like McHale gets that call, but it did happen in Chicago last week. Scott Foster, a 36-year-old accountant, strapped on the pads for the Blackhawks and played the final 14 minutes in a win over the Jets on March 30.

"The initial shock happened when I had to dress. I think you just kind of black out after that," Foster said at the time.

"It's tough for anybody to come in 50 minutes into a hockey game, let alone a guy who hasn't played in the [NHL]," Jets coach Paul Maurice said of Foster after the game in March. "A great moment for him."

McHale manages a website and works as a personal trainer in Winnipeg, but when he was younger he played at elite levels, including two seasons with the University of Manitoba Bisons' hockey team.

He mostly plays in local recreational and beer leagues now with his team Shake 'n' Bake, which he says is full of former pro, junior and college players.

"We play Saturday afternoons and I'm always home for dinner, and I've had a beer or two, so it's perfect," says the 6-foot-7, 225-pound goalie.

Called up to big league The NHL revised its rules in 2017 to ensure each team has at least one emergency goalie at every home game able to fill in for either team at a moment's notice.

This past fall McHale says Jets assistant general manager called him up to the big leagues. Sort of.

"When you see that name come up on your phone, you answer," McHale says. "He just asked if I was still playing, if I was interested in this opportunity, and of course I tried to seem cool but I wasn't. I was super excited and I obviously accepted."

Since then McHale has been invited to take in Jets games from the press box about a dozen times in the low likelihood the team needed him, leaving his gear in his car in the parking lot.

"I definitely don't have a routine," he said. "I try not to eat too much popcorn and just try and stay as ready as I can, because I think everyone knows that if I go in it's a really bad situation for that team."

'Craziest 20 minutes of my life' For the most part his NHL experience has been confined to the stands, but once in February against Colorado, McHale was notified just after the second intermission he would have to get dressed and don an Avalanche jersey.

Colorado goalie Jonathan Bernier got hit in the head during the second period of play and was replaced by Semyon Varlamov to start the third period, with McHale rushing to get dressed as a contingency.

"I had to basically run down, get my equipment, put it on as quick as I could and just wait in the Avalanche dressing room," McHale recalled.

"Nothing happened but it was the craziest 20 minutes of my life."

McHale hasn't heard yet whether the Jets need him in the stands for playoffs — just in case — but he's keeping his "fingers crossed." He can already imagine how overwhelming it would be to be surrounded by a raucous whiteout crowd of Jets fans at their arena.

"I don't know if I could say on air exactly what I would say or how I would feel, because I know how it felt in a regular season game in February," McHale said.

"So that's going to be one of those moments where, like what Scott Foster said, 'You just black out.'"

A Jets spokesperson would not confirm who has been identified as possible emergency goalies for the team this playoff season, but said "Gavin will likely be on that list."

The Athletic Winnipeg https://theathletic.com/297444/2018/04/02/lebrun-for-veteran-atlanta-transplants-like-bryan-little- and-blake-wheeler-patience-finally-paying-off-in-winnipeg/

LeBrun: For veteran Atlanta transplants like Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler, patience finally paying off in Winnipeg

By Pierre LeBrun

Seven years in a flash.

It can seem that way on one hand for the five players on the Winnipeg Jets left over from the organization.

Seven years ago, the team moved north. Seven years ago, new ownership and management cautioned of a patient rebuild. Seven years ago, Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, , Toby Enstrom and then-prospect Ben Chiarot went from the Thrashers to the Jets and wondered what the journey would be like.

“It’s been so long that when people ask me I have to think how many years I’ve been in Winnipeg now,” Little said with a chuckle over the weekend. “It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. It seems like we just got there a few years ago. It’s flown by.’’

Little was 23 when the move happened. He’s now a 30-year-old cog of the veteran core. Wheeler was 24 at the time. Now he’s the 31-year-old captain, having a season worthy of Hart Trophy consideration, and beyond happy that the journey from Atlanta has finally brought the team to this level.

“Now that we’re at the point we’re at, it seems like it’s gone fast, but there were plenty of points over time where it didn’t seem that way,” Wheeler told The Athletic. “I think when we moved from Atlanta to Winnipeg, there were a number of factors that played into the plan they put in place for the vision of the team and the organization. There were some pieces left over from Atlanta that they wanted to make part of where we’re at now and ultimately figured we needed to build it from the ground up to make it a sustainable organization.

“I think it was never going to be a team that was going to build through free agency, try to do a quick fix, and it’s probably never going to be that way,” Wheeler added. “It’s a team that’s driven by youth, making good draft picks, and building from within.’’

It was a methodical build that only works if you have ownership that understands the vision and knows the patience it’s going to take. Check mark there.

And you need a GM in that never strays from that vision and avoids the temptation of a quick fix. Another check mark.

And truth be told, it’s not like UFAs over the past seven years were begging to sign in Winnipeg on July 1, although that may change now with a winning team. The point being, building from within was the only true path to follow.

But you also need core players who understand the plan and buy-in. And while it’s been frustrating missing the playoffs five of the first six seasons in Winnipeg, that’s a check mark as well as guys like Wheeler, Little and Byfuglien all re-upped when their contracts came up, Wheeler signing a six-year deal in 2013, Little a six-year extension last September which won’t kick in until next season, and Byfuglien a five-year extension in February 2016.

Those deals were all signed when the team still hadn’t blossomed yet. But there was faith in the plan.

“What I was buying into was that I really liked our core; , myself, Buff, Toby Enstrom, kind of the guys that were labelled as the guys to carry this forward,” Wheeler said. “I really believed in our group of veteran core that were around at the time.’’

And as Wheeler said, he could see younger players such as Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba back then and know what was coming. Then over time Adam Lowry, Nik Ehlers, Josh Morrissey and, of course, Patrik Laine among others, and it’s started to all come together.

“That’s when it clicks in that you’re really getting an understanding of what they’re trying to do. Seeing that vision come full circle,’’ Wheeler said.

But on the way to this point, a team this season that opens its window as a veritable Stanley Cup contender, a team on paper which should be in the mix for a number of years from this point on, well, it was a tough journey.

“There were a lot of frustrating years, that’s for sure,” Little said. “You get to a new city and the fans are like they are in Winnipeg … they were so great at first because they just wanted to see a team back; but they want to see a team win and watch playoff hockey. It was frustrating not to be doing well when everybody wanted you. As guys who have been there since the start, we just had faith; they kept telling us `stick with it, we have a plan.’ It’s paying off now. They’ve done a great job drafting. We’ve got some really good, young players who have stepped in and been stars right away. We’ve been lucky that way.’’

The toughest part of all was probably getting a quick taste of playoff hockey in 2014-15, getting swept in the opening round by Anaheim, and then missing out again the following two years as the organization took some short-term pain again to allow the next wave of talent to integrate.

That’s when the journey starts to feel long.

“Yeah, it’s tough,” Wheeler said. “I was kind of caught in the middle of being a guy where you look at yourself personally and selfishly you’re saying to yourself, `I only have one shot at this.’ A career is not an indefinite thing. It’s going to be over one day and you’re going to look back and say, `Shoot, I missed out on the best time of year too many times.’ That was the hard part. But last year was also when it really clicked in for me just seeing the development of the younger guys. You say, 'Ok, now I understand the vision of not just turning into a playoff team but a team that competes for the big prize.'’’

Chiarot, a fourth-round pick of the Thrashers in 2009, says the methodical build of the franchise has played out as advertised in many ways.

“They preached that. As soon as the team moved, they said it was going to be that kind of build,” Chiarot said. “It was going to take a while for those first couple of Jets draft picks to come through. Now, you see all the guys, it speaks for itself. They’ve done an unbelievable job. There’s a couple of Atlanta guys still hanging on, too. I consider myself more of a Jets guy since even though the Thrashers drafted me, I never played a pro game for their farm team or the Thrashers.’’

Little recalls like it was yesterday when he was informed the team was moving.

“I remember it was shortly after the season and it was really unexpected,” said Little. “I kept my apartment in Atlanta and all my stuff was down there. All of a sudden, it was like, the team is done here and we’re moving to Winnipeg. I got right on a plane, went to Atlanta, closed my (apartment) lease, sent my car back and stuff, it was a busy summer. But I feel like it happened super fast.’’

The Atlanta transplants still sometimes reminisce about the old days.

“Sometimes we joke about the Tuesday night games in Atlanta, 3,000 strong at Philips Arena,’’ chuckled Wheeler. “But I think every guy who has come through this process, there’s been a lot of patience involved. The gratification might be a little different for the guys that have been here a while. It ties us together a little bit stronger. We’ve been there every step of the way.’’

It’s being part of the organic growth of a team.

“I know Vegas is going through it right now with their group, it’s unique,” said Wheeler. “But it doesn’t happen very often that you’re part of something from the ground floor.

“We were kind of writing our own story from Day 1 when we got to Winnipeg. It’s pretty special.”

TSN.ca https://www.tsn.ca/video/who-can-go-further-in-the-playoffs-jets-or-maple- leafs~1361198?cid=trueAnthem&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content =5ac30cab04d3012946e1a98a&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

Who can go further in the playoffs: Jets or Maple Leafs?

The Jets and Maple Leafs will be the only Canadian representatives in the NHL playoffs and TH wonders which of the two teams has a better chance at making a run for the Stanley Cup.

TSN 1290 (AUDIO LINKS) https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/mckenzie-jets-could-be-in-double-trouble-with-laine- and-trouba-1.1044298

McKenzie: Jets could be in double trouble with Laine and Trouba

TSN's Bob McKenzie joined the Big Show this morning to talk about Erik Karlsson potentially playing his last home game as a Senator, the Jets matchup Saturday against Toronto and how Winnipeg has to maneuver a pair of contract negotiations this summer with Patrik Laine and Jacob Trouba. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/lebrun-you-can-feel-the-jets-confidence-1.1044793

LeBrun: You can feel the Jets confidence

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joins Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discussed the Jets win over Toronto on the weekend, Connor Hellebuyck’s performance this season, injuries to and , and how the Jets approached the rebuild following moving to Winnipeg from Atlanta. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/olczyk-playing-during-a-jets-whiteout-was-electrifying- 1.1042280

Olczyk: Playing during a Jets whiteout was electrifying

Blackhawks analyst joins Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discuss his recovery from cancer, what he’s seen from the Jets this season, his experience playing for the Winnipeg Jets in the playoffs, Patrik Laine’s shot, and the Blackhawks struggles this year. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/wheeler-scores-twice-perreault-nets-the-winner-as-jets-beat- sens/c-297596708

Wheeler scores twice, Perreault nets the winner as Jets beat Sens Hellebuyck's 42nd win ties for second most by an American born goaltender by Mitchell Clinton @MitchellClinton / WinnipegJets.com

KANATA, ON - Mathieu Perreault said it almost felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

With the Winnipeg Jets holding a 5-4 lead in the third period against an Ottawa Senators team playing their final home game of the season, Perreault got his stick on a loose puck resulting from a Nikolaj Ehlers point shot.

He corralled the rebound, and slipped it between the legs of Ottawa's Craig Anderson for his first goal in 20 games, a goal that would stand as the eventual game-winner in a 6-5 final score at Canadian Tire Centre.

"You almost forget how it feels to score goals really. It was certainly a great feeling," said Perreault.

"It's not like we were losing games. We were winning, so I never really felt too much pressure on scoring goals because the team isn't winning. It was just a matter of for me personally to start feeling better about my game. But the team is doing well.

"It certainly felt really good to score a goal, and now hopefully they can come in bunches."

Blake Wheeler scored his 21st and 22nd of the season, while Andrew Copp, Josh Morrissey, Brandon Tanev, and Perreault added singles of their own. The win is the second in the first three games on the trip, and eighth in the Winnipeg's last nine games.

But it didn't come easy.

With their alma mater's men's basketball team playing the NCAA national championship game, it was fitting that a pair of former Michigan standouts getting the Jets on the board first.

Jacob Trouba's point shot got through traffic, and while Craig Anderson made the first stop, Copp was right there to put home the rebound for his second goal in as many games.

"It was a good start for us," said Copp. "We probably didn't stay on it as much as wanted to, didn't stay as engaged as we needed to. It was kind of a ping-pong game almost. Not a lot of clean plays (being) made, a little bit of sloppiness, but it's huge that we can find a way to win those games too."

Morrissey would benefit from another strong shift from the Copp, Lowry, and Tanev line. After some sustained pressure in the Ottawa zone, Lowry sent the puck back to Morrissey, who blasted one by a screened Anderson for his seventh of the campaign.

Just 21 seconds later, Wheeler capitalized on a nifty backdoor pass from Mark Scheifele, and tucked his 21st of the season just under the bar. Play continued briefly, but a quick review showed the puck had crossed the line.

"They played hard, they didn't quit. You have to give them credit," said Wheeler. "It's two points. It's a win. There are obviously areas we can be better, but we scored one more goal than they did."

Ottawa would get on the board with just over 90 seconds left in the opening period. Erik Karlsson kept the play alive at the blue line, and seconds later, Thomas Chabot's wrist shot from the high slot beat Connor Hellebuyck on the glove side.

A Wheeler penalty for delay of game early in the second offered the Senators a chance to get closer, and that's exactly what they did. Matt Duchene's wrist shot from the left circle deflected off Trouba's stick and redirected past Hellebuyck, pulling Ottawa within one.

"I liked the way we started, but they're a better team than that," said head coach Paul Maurice. "They pushed back a little bit. We missed on a bunch of offence. They threw everything at the net so there were a lot of tough plays around the net. We did a good job of getting the second pucks.

"(You) have to be real careful about dismissing the win. You can't look at the standings. It was a good road win. We're taking it."

Then, when Wheeler went back to the box for cross-checking, the Senators were hungry for more.

Only, this time, it went the other way. As Tanev took advantage of a botched pass, and flew down the right wing on a 2-on-1 with Lowry. Tanev kept, and sniped home his eighth of the season, off the back bar and out on the glove side of Anderson.

It was Tanev's third shorthanded goal of the season. The trio of Tanev, Lowry, and Copp finished the night with a combined five points.

"The last three or four games we've been pretty hot as a line," said Copp. "I feel like we're doing all the right things. When we get on that puck and force turnovers, we're in a good spots to capitalize from there.

"We've got a couple of hot sticks. (Tanev) is shooting the puck as great as I've ever seen him shoot the puck."

After Chabot netted his second of the night to pull Ottawa within one, Scheifele stole a puck from Ryan Dzingel high in the Jets defensive zone, and took off on a 2-on-1 with Wheeler the other way. With back pressure coming, Scheifele placed a perfect saucer pass on Wheeler's tape, and the captain made no mistake. The Jets were back up by two on Wheeler's second of the evening.

Christian Wolanin's first NHL goal would pull Ottawa back within one. Wolanin came in late as the Senators came into the Jets zone off the rush, and fired a pass from Dzingel past Hellebuyck.

After Perreault's goal, Matt Duchene would pull Ottawa back within one on a 6-on-3 power play with 1:05 to go, but the Jets would hold the one-goal lead, moving their record to 49-20-10.

The road trip concludes tomorrow night in Montreal against the Canadiens.

"We know Montreal is usually quick and tight checking, so it might be a different game," said Copp. "We're just taking it one game at a time for us right now. We're just worried about getting ourselves right and ready to go."