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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWinnipeg Jets’ Kyle Connor (81) tries to tip the puck past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (39) as Brent Burns (84) defends during third period NHL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, March 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/John Woods<\/p>\n
In fact, over his nine-year career, the only time Connor did not reach the 30-goal mark was during the 56-game schedule in 2020-21, shortened owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. He did, however, net an impressive 26 goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s obviously a big part of it, having consistency in your game,\u201d Connor said. \u201cAnd trying to bring that level every single night. With such a grind of a season, we\u2019re obviously down to the wire here with the push that we need to have, and that needs to be every single night.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that is tough to do. These games add up, especially at this part of the season, and to be able to be consistent every night is what you strive for, it\u2019s what you hope for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Connor opened the scoring early in the second period, beating goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood at the 2:05 mark. The goal was set up by Mark Scheifele, who tied his own single-season career high with his 50th assist on the play, before recording his 51st on another second-period goal by Alex Iafallo.<\/p>\n
Jets head coach Scott Arniel has had a front-row seat to Connor\u2019s development and believes the winger doesn\u2019t always get the love and respect that his numbers demand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if everybody around North America recognizes how good, and what a great scorer he is,\u201d Arniel said. \u201cHe has got an unbelievable release, and he has a knack for finding that open ice, and him and Scheifele with their chemistry, that puck comes off his stick in a hurry.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you saw tonight, it doesn\u2019t take much, he just needs a lane to get that shot off. From my history here, the four years, if you watch him in practice or you watch him in games, he is a pure goal-scorer.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what allows him to reach the 30-goal plateau every year, Connor deflected the praise, giving an assist to his longtime centreman Scheifele and other quality teammates he\u2019s played with.<\/p>\n
\u201cHealth, obviously, plays a big part of it,\u201d Connor said. \u201cBut we\u2019ve had a lot of good teams, and I\u2019ve been fortunate to play with a lot of great players. Scheifele, he\u2019s probably assisted on almost all of them. Before that, Blake Wheeler, as well as Josh Morrissey on the power play. It goes back to that consistency and just taking pride in that and just being a teammate that can be relied upon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who turned in a stellar 28-save performance against Colorado, has been with the organization for Connor\u2019s entire run.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been an honour watching him,\u201d Hellebuyck said. \u201cI\u2019ve kind of watched right from the start, so I\u2019ve seen the skills develop. Just seeing the little things he\u2019s picking up on and the speed and how much faster he\u2019s getting every single day, it\u2019s been a true pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
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While Connor\u2019s individual consistency is now cemented in the club\u2019s history books, the Jets know they need that same strong effort from the entire roster if they hope to land a post-season spot. The Jets improved to 27-28-10 with the win, but remain several points out of the final playoff spot, with a few teams ahead of them fighting for the same position.<\/p>\n
Perhaps a win over the first-place Avalanche, who dropped to 44-12-9 with the loss, will be the catalyst to a more consistent, collective effort for Winnipeg.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not (going to succeed) by six or seven people, we\u2019re by committee \u2014 everybody has got to be doing this,\u201d Arniel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrior to the playoffs, this is the hardest hockey you\u2019re going to see all season long. If you\u2019re not all in, you\u2019re not going to have success, you\u2019re going to be chasing games.\u201d<\/p>\n
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 15, 2026.<\/p>\n
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Jeff Hamilton Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University\u2019s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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