Tkachuk scores 2 as Senators beat Jets 4-2

Brady Tkachuk scored twice, Connor Brown extended his franchise-record goal-scoring streak to eight games and the Ottawa Senators beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 Monday night.

Evgenii Dadonov also scored and Thomas Chabot and Josh Norris each had two assists as Ottawa rallied from two goals down and ended a four-game losing streak. Anton Forsberg was impressive in goal after a shaky start with 24 saves.

Kyle Connor and and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for Winnipeg, which snapped a three-game win streak. Connor Hellebuyck, making his seventh straight start, stopped 20 shots.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, left, makes a save against Ottawa Senators right wing Connor Brown during second-period NHL hockey game action Monday, April 12, 2021, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg missed a chance to eat into Toronto’s lead atop the North Division. The Maple Leafs lost 4-2 to Montreal on Monday but remained six points ahead of the Jets.

The teams meet again Wednesday at Ottawa.

Dadonov gave the Senators a 3-2 lead — their first advantage of the game — when Hellebuyck was unable to handle a bouncing puck, allowing the Senators forward to get the rebound and backhand the puck over the Jets goalie just past the midpoint of the third.

Ottawa Senators right wing Connor Brown (28) tries to put the puck past Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck during second-period NHL hockey game action Monday, April 12, 2021, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

Tkachuk scored his second of the game and 14th of the season when he caused a turnover in the neutral zone, then skated into Winnipeg’s end and wired a shot past Hellebuyck with 3:48 remaining.

The Jets opened the scoring five minutes into the game after some sustained pressure on their first power play. Connor scored his 19th when his slap shot hit the underside of the Ottawa crossbar and fell behind Forsberg.

Ehlers made it 2-0 at 11:35 when he used Paul Stastny as a screen and fooled Forsberg with a quick shot to pick up his 18th. Ehlers extended his point streak to four games (three goals, three assists).

Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry, left, checks Ottawa Senators center Michael Amadio along the boards during first-period NHL hockey game action Monday, April 12, 2021, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Senators got one back on the power play with just under 9 minutes left in the opening period when Norris’ shot deflected off both Jets defenseman Derek Forbort and Tkachuk and past Hellebuyck.

Brown scored his eighth goal in eight games and 14th overall when his shot went off Hellebuyck’s glove and into the net to tie the game 2-2 with 1:22 remaining in the period..

The Jets outshot Ottawa 14-7 in the second period, thanks in part to having three power plays. However, Forsberg was sharp to keep his team in the game.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Josh Brown lands a punch on Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley during first-period NHL hockey game action Monday, April 12, 2021, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

YOUTH MOVEMENT

The Senators went with a young defense after dealing veterans Mike Reilly, Erik Gudbranson and Braydon Coburn before Monday’s trade deadline. Erik Brannstrom, 21, moved into Ottawa’s top-four while Victor Mete, 22, made his Senators debut after being claimed off waivers from Montreal earlier Monday.

STREAKING

Ottawa Senators center Colin White and left-wing Nick Paul (center) congratulate right wing Evgenii Dadonov on his game-winning goal during the third period of an NHL game Monday, April 12, 2021, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele assisted on Connor’s goal to give him an assist in four straight games.

BACK IN THE LINEUP

Ottawa forward Colin White played for the first time since he suffered an upper-body injury April 1 against Montreal.

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports