The Winnipeg Jets recorded their NHL best 25th home win Sunday night.

Kyle Connor score twice and Blake Wheeler had a three assists as Winnipeg defeated the Florida Panthers 7-2 at Bell MTS Place.

The Jets and Panthers were tied 2-2 late in the second period when Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made a spectacular glove save off a shot from Florida captain Derek MacKenzie.

Two minutes later Mark Scheifele scored his 18th of the season to give the Jets the lead for good.

“You get those kind of saves and it’s as good as a goal,” said Wheeler. “That’s a 3-2 game and shortly there after it’s 3-2 us. You have no idea what that does for your team when you give up a pretty outrageous chance there and he makes the save like that. It puts a lot of fire on the bench, a lot of wind in your sails and gives you a lot of momentum.”

Hellebuyck finished the night with 25 saves.

Bryan Little, Mathieu Perreault, Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored for Winnipeg.

Denis Malgin and Aleksander Barkov replied for the Panthers.

The Jets (35-15-9) wrap up their 10-game homestand Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings.

 
photos courtesy Ray Peters