Winnipeg Jets players celebrate Kyle Connor's (81) goal against the Colorado Avalanche during second period NHL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, March 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

By The Canadian Press

Connor secures eighth 30-goal season as Jets take down Avalanche 3-1

Mar 14, 2026 | 4:52 PM

WINNIPEG — Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche at Canada Life Centre Saturday.

The goal gave Connor his eighth 30-goal campaign, passing Ilya Kovalchuk for the most in Jets/Thrashers franchise history.

Alex Iafallo and Cole Perfetti, with an empty-netter, also scored for the Jets (27-28-10), who rebounded from back-to-back regulation losses to salvage a critical two points in their pursuit of a playoff spot. Mark Scheifele picked up two assists, including his 51st to set a new personal single-season record for helpers.

Connor Hellebuyck lost his shutout bid late in the third but put forth a solid 28-save performance for the win.

Martin Necas broke the shutout at 18:44 of the third period with his 31st goal for the Avalanche (44-12-9), who saw their season-high six-game road winning streak snapped. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar assisted on the play.

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Mackenzie Blackwood made 15 saves in the loss for the Avalanche.

Avalanche defenceman Brent Burns played in his 990th consecutive NHL game, surpassing Keith Yandle for the second-longest Iron Man streak in league history. Phil Kessel has the longest streak, at 1,064 consecutive games.

Takeaways

Jets: Winnipeg moved back into the win column to salvage a shot at a playoff spot, backed by a strong defensive effort against an Avalanche attack that entered the day leading the NHL with 3.80 goals per game.

Avalanche: Necas extended his goal streak to three games. He has now found the back of the net in each of Colorado’s last six road games.

Key moment

Connor broke a scoreless deadlock at 2:05 of the second period, firing home his 30th goal of the year to ignite the Winnipeg offence and set a new franchise benchmark.

Key stat

Connor has reached the 30-goal mark in every season of his nine-year NHL career except for the 56-game COVID-19 shortened campaign.

Up next

Jets: Host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Avalanche: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2026.

Jeff Hamilton, The Canadian Press