Pavelec makes 39 saves as Winnipeg Jets soar over Montreal Canadiens

The Winnipeg Jets' Jim Slater (behind net) and Lee Stempniak celebrate a Dustin Byfuglien shot that trickled through the legs of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Dustin Tokarski. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)

Canadian Press
Winnipeg’s Ondrej Pavelec earned the full support of the hometown crowd Thursday night against Montreal.

Pavelec made 39 saves for his sixth consecutive win as the Jets downed the Canadiens 5-2 at the MTS Centre.

Fans were already chanting “Pavy, Pavy” after he stopped 20 shots in the first period alone to keep a 1-0 Winnipeg lead alive.

“Yes, I heard it. It’s always nice,” Pavelec said with a small smile.

NHL | Pavelec makes season-high 46 saves, Winnipeg Jets beat Stars 2-1

Winnipeg Jets right wing Michael Frolik (67) celebrates scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Dallas. AP

The Associated Press
Ondrej Pavelec thought he had one of his better games. Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice insisted his goalie was selling himself short.

Pavelec made a season-high 46 saves, leading the Jets past the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Thursday night.

“Anything out of my mouth that doesn’t start or finish with Ondrej Pavelec, I’d be doing him and the game a disservice. He was beyond spectacular,” Maurice said. “I can’t remember a game where I saw a goalie have to face that number of A-plus chances and if he did, he never, ever kept them at zero for 59 minutes.”

Michael Frolik scored a first-period goal, and Evander Kane added a short-handed clincher at 7:34 of the third during a four-minute Dallas power play.