Connor's late goal fuels Jets to 5-3 win over Blues in playoff opener

Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele go together like laces and hockey skates.

The Jets' top-line duo each had a goal and two assists to boost Winnipeg to a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues in Saturday's Game 1 opening-round playoff match.

Scheifele threaded a pass to set up Connor's one-timer with 1:36 remaining in the third period, a goal that snapped a 3-3 tie. Captain Adam Lowry added an empty-netter with 53 seconds left to seal the victory.

Scheifele became the Jets/Thrashers' all-time franchise leader in playoff points with 41.

"To do it in front of the fans tonight was pretty special," said the Kitchener, Ont., centre. "That was a fun game to be a part of, just had a fun time."

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Connor was asked if he had an idea Scheifele would send him a pass because of their years of knowing what each other might do.

"Yeah, I'd like to think so," he said with a laugh.

Scheifele said he has confidence Connor might score any time he feeds him the puck.

"AlI want to do is put the puck in his hands and he does some fantastic things," Scheifele said. "Like I said before, I'm lucky to play with him."

Lowry said the pair are "dynamic together."

"They don't crowd each other in the [offensive] zone, but they always seem to have that tight support whenever they need an out," he said. "It was great to see them rewarded. I thought they had a heck of a Game 1."

Game 2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference series goes Monday at Canada Life Centre, which featured a loud "whiteout" full house of 15,225 fans.

Teams that win Game 1 of a best-of-seven series own an all-time series record of 525-247 (. 680), according to NHL stats.

Both Connor and Scheifele finished the regular