Kyle Connor surging up rookie scoring race, earns league recognition
By @MichaelCaples –
Today, Kyle Connor was named the NHL’s third star of the week.
At the rate he’s scoring, it might not be the last time this season he lands on the weekly stars list.
After scoring in five of his last six games, the Shelby Township native is now tied for the NHL rookie goals lead with 29 on the season.
The 21-year-old recorded back-to-back OT winners during the last week; just the second rookie in NHL history to accomplish the feat.
In total, he had four goals and two assists with a plus-five rating on the week.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling,” he told the Jets’ official site in regards to the star of the week selection. “It’s a lot of hard work and compete from this team,” said Connor.
“The more games I play, the more comfortable (I get), and the more confidence grows. I’m just kind of building my game. Throughout my whole career, it’s kind of just learning and implementing all the stuff I’ve learned.”
His 29 goals puts him in a tie with Brock Boeser for first among all NHL rookies – Boeser is working through a lower-back injury that has kept him out since March 5.
Fellow Michigan native Alex DeBrincat is third with 25 goals.
Connor certainly won’t be able to catch Mathew Barzal for the scoring lead – the Islanders forward has 76 total points, while Connor has 50.
Still, the Belle Tire alum is on the verge of a 30-goal season as a rookie forward in the NHL.
“What he’s built on over the year is his ability to influence the game when we don’t have the puck. You can call that defence, but there’s quite a bit more to it,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice.
“I’m not just talking about the takeaways you see on the sheet as a statistic. The number of passes he doesn’t allow to be direct, how he closes on people, how he gets to his position quick.
“Then as he gets to be more known, the way he changes how people defend him. Very aware of that speed – such extreme speed from standing to top speed. He’s getting slightly more room at times.”