The Winnipeg Jets are headed back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Mark Scheifele scored the only goal of the shootout to give the Jets a 5-4 win over the Nashville Predators on Sunday night, clinching Winnipeg's third-ever postseason appearance and first since the 2014-15 season.
The @NHLJets clinched a berth in the 2018 #StanleyCup Playoffs, their third postseason appearance and second since the franchise relocated to Winnipeg (also 2007 and 2015). #NHLStats #NSHvsWPG pic.twitter.com/nqum3eta3H
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 26, 2018
Kyle Connor continued his recent offensive outburst, scoring a power play goal and adding two assists in a thrilling game that could turn out to be a second-round playoff matchup.
The rookie has registered seven goals in Winnipeg's last six games and now has 29 on the season, tying him with injured Canucks forward Brock Boeser for the NHL rookie scoring lead.
It was a three-point (1🚨, 2 🍎) night for @KyleConnor18 tonight, our @DEKALB_Canada #FinishStrong Performer of the Game! #NSHvsWPG pic.twitter.com/CXwl3pQroB
— X - Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 26, 2018
Dustin Byfuglien, Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler also scored for the Jets, who improved to 45-19-10 and earned their 100th point of the season.
"It's awesome," Little told reporters after the game. "It's been a long time coming. Everyone's been patiently waiting for this group to live up to our expectations. We have a lot of good young players that everyone was patient with, and it's starting to pay off. We've got a lot of talented guys in here and a good group of guys. It's really exciting and we're looking forward to it."
Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves in regulation and all three in the shootout, including the playoff clincher on Filip Forsberg.
Roman Josi, Kyle Turris, Ryan Ellis and Viktor Arvidsson tallied goals for the Predators, who still lead the Jets by five points for first place in the Central Division.
Winnipeg will look to improve upon the franchise's poor postseason history, which features two four-game sweeps at the hands of the New York Rangers (2007 as the Atlanta Thrashers) and Anaheim Ducks (2015).
The Jets finish off their six-game homestand against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.