His path from prospect to potential Vezina Trophy candidate was non-linear, and included some dark days. But, beyond some better fortune with his health, one of the biggest realizations in his development was his ability to make flashy saves was not going to make him the consistent goaltender he wanted to be.

Neal Pionk scored 17 seconds into overtime, and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck started the winning play when he sent the puck to Vladislav Namestnikov,

In 62 previous regular-season matchups against the Jets, the Avalanche are 29-26-7. This season, the home teams are undefeated, with the Jets winning in Winnipeg on November 7 and January 11 while the Avs won in Denver on December 31.

With the Western Conference’s best team in town, Wednesday presented a test for the streaky Avalanche. Colorado flunked.

Neal Pionk scored 17 seconds into overtime and Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in Denver on Wednesday night.

Pionk’s slap shot beat Mackenzie Blackwood to end Winnipeg’s two-game skid. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi also scored for Winnipeg ...

Pionk’s slap shot beat Mackenzie Blackwood to end Winnipeg’s two-game skid. Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi also scored for Winnipeg, and Hellebuyck stopped 25 shots. Nathan MacKinnon and ...

Kyle Connor scored once in a three-point outing, while Mark Scheifele netted one goal and an assist, and Mason Appleton added a goal for the Western Conference-leading Jets, who have won three straight games and are on a 7-2-1 run.

Artturi Lehkonen scored the tiebreaking goal with 14.7 seconds left and Mackenzie Blackwood made 33 saves as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New York Rangers 5-4 on Sunday.

We’re at a bit of a crossroads with the Capitals. They’ve occupied the top spot in three of the last four rankings and at 32-10-5 are seemingly running away with the Presidents’ Trophy playing at a 120-point pace. That’s eight points up on second. Good for them!

The Jets have a collection of UFAs – Nikolaj Ehlers, Neal Pionk, Vladislav Namestnikov, Alex Iafallo, and Mason Appleton – and RFAs – Gabriel Vilardi, Dylan Samberg and Morgan Barron. Cheveldayoff said they have had some talks but no negotiations

The Capitals are ramping up efforts to extend Logan Thompson while the goaltending situation in Carolina has gotten less dire.