Kane's four points power Jets past Hurricanes
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The importance of Tuesday night's game couldn't be understated for the Winnipeg Jets.
Left wing Evander Kane wound up providing big production in a big situation.
Kane was involved in four scoring plays as the Jets created more distance in the Southeast Division standings, using two second-period goals to break a tie and defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 at PNC Arena.
"We knew the implications going in," Kane said. "It was big for both teams. It's not going to be the last one. It's nice to control your own destiny."
Division-leading Winnipeg (18-14-2) got goals from Olli Jokinen, Tobias Enstrom, Nik Antropov and Kane, building its edge on second-place Carolina (15-14-2) to six points. The Hurricanes, though, have three games in hand on Winnipeg.
"We're aware of where we stand," Jets right wing Blake Wheeler said. "We have to keep building."
Carolina, which has a season-long, six-game losing streak, scored first on Jiri Tlusty's first-period goal. From there, the Hurricanes, who hadn't played since Thursday night, ran short on execution.
"That wasn't our best game," Carolina coach Kirk Muller said. "It wasn't our best performance for some individuals. Very surprised."
Winnipeg goalie Ondrej Pavelec, who has been a workhorse the past few weeks, made 38 saves.
"I feel good," said Pavelec, who has played 11 consecutive games. "I say it many times, I want to play. I've been resting for months in the lockout."
The Hurricanes outshot the Jets 39-35, but that barely mattered.
"We didn't work hard enough," Muller said. "We didn't compete enough. We have to be more desperate."
Kane picked up three assists for the Jets before his goal completed the scoring. He was credited with a third-period goal when the puck was knocked into the net by Carolina defenseman Jamie McBain.
"It was nice to finally get a bounce," said Kane, whose 13th goal put him within one of the team lead.
Justin Peters, who a few weeks ago was in the American Hockey League but has become Carolina's top available goalie because of injuries, stopped 31 shots.
Tlusty moved into a share of the Carolina team lead in goals with 14 by depositing the puck after taking a pass from Riley Nash, who was behind the net.
The Jets tied the game when Jokinen broke in on a 2-on-1 as the Hurricanes were caught on a line change.
Enstrom has scored in both games since returning from a 19-game absence. He has 15 points, including four goals, in 15 games after his power-play tally.
Antropov's second-period goal required a lengthy review regarding the rebound and whether the stick was above the crossbar when the shot was taken. It counted, giving the Jets a 3-1 lead.
The Hurricanes completed a 0-3 homestand, losing each of the games by 4-1 scores.
The teams will play twice more, both times at Winnipeg. The Jets won both games in Raleigh.
NOTES: The Hurricanes put left wing Jussi Jokinen and right wing Tim Wallace on waivers Tuesday. ... This marked the first game for Hurricanes right wing Alexander Semin since agreeing to a five-year, $35 million contract extension that goes through the 2017-18 season. Semin played in his 500th career game Tuesday night, and he finished minus-3. ... Winnipeg's Patrice Cormier and Carolina's Brett Bellemore each picked up their first NHL fighting majors based on a first-period scrap. ... Hurricanes right wing Chad LaRose played after a 10-game absence caused by a concussion. ... John Muse, who has yet to play an NHL game, was the Hurricanes' backup goalie, as Dan Ellis went on injured reserve. ... Carolina's next three games are on the road, beginning Thursday night at Toronto. ... Winnipeg started a stretch of five road games in a six-game span, with the lone home game to come Saturday against Carolina.
