Dubois scores twice, Hellebuyck sharply as Jets Flames in preseason final – Winnipeg

After dominating the Flames in Winnipeg on Wednesday night, the Jets doubled down on Friday night in Calgary with a 5-3 win to end their preseason schedule on a high note.

Kyle Connor had one goal and two assists while Pierre-Luc Dubois had two goals.

Both teams put lineups on hold that will look very similar to their season-opening lineups, and Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt said it’s nice to get a taste of reality.

“I think it was fun to see a full lineup,” Schmidt said. “It was fun to test yourself and prepare for the next week, there is no way to replicate it in practice.
There is nothing better than playing top guys in such situations.”

The visitors picked up where they left off from Wednesday’s win when Pierre-Luc Dubois struck the opener after just over four minutes, deflecting a Dylan DeMelo shot on point past Jacob Markstrom.

Just over four minutes later, Nikolaj Ehlers tracked down a puck that ricocheted off the boards near the net and turned it in against Markstrom for a 2-0.

Tyler Toffoli cut the lead at 15:05 when he ended a great passing game from Elias Lindholm and Jonathan Huberdeau, a tantalizing taste for Flames fans of the line’s offensive potential this season.

READ MORE: Jets goalkeeper Berdin has traveled to Russia this season, agent says

But Dubois would strike again on the power play for the Jets as he buried one from point-blank range and gave Winnipeg a 3-1 lead after one, though Dubois was down for the game after 20 minutes with what the team called one. Mayhem.

Calgary passed the Jets 15-6 in the first frame and continued that shooting advantage in the second, dropping the lead back to one after five minutes when Blake Coleman beat Connor Hellebuyck from close range.

The Flames seemed to build momentum for a crucial goal before Kyle Connor scored with a quick release that beat Markstrom to 4-2. It was only Winnipeg’s eighth shot of the game.

Connor then linked up with Mark Scheifele in a brief late-half rush to go 5-2 after 40 minutes, despite the Flames holding a 29-11 advantage on shots on target.

Calgary were able to cut the lead to two in the third thanks to a Nazem Kadri marker with less than four minutes left, but what will be remembered most from the final frame were some questionable hits from the Flames that led to post-whistle skirmishes.

First it was Cole Perfetti, who fell victim to a hit from behind for the second straight year, this time by Coleman. Coleman was not penalized for the goal and Calgary got a power play for retaliatory penalties against Winnipeg.

Then, in the final moments, Huberdeau checked Dominic Toninato near the boards, pushing the Jets forward and sparking another uproar. If you’re curious about a carryover to later meetings, the two teams meet for the first time in the regular season on November 12.

READ MORE: Second-third surge helps Jets to 5-0 preseason win over Calgary

Calgary beat the Jets 38-16 while Hellebuyck made 35 saves for the win.

Winnipeg finish the preseason with a 4-1-1 record but will have to wait a week before they open the regular season on Oct. 14 against Rangers at the Canada Life Center. The pregame show begins at 5:00 p.m. on 680 CJOB, with the puck dropping just after 7:00 p.m