Yes, there is a connection between PNPs and Express Entry. When a person renews his or her Express Entry profile to indicate that he or she has an enhanced provincial nomination certificate candidate will be given a maximum of 600 points to be invited to apply at the next draw of candidates from the pool.
Candidates should be in the express entry pool before applying to the province for an enhanced provincial nomination certificate, or submission of expression of interest to a province under one of the enhanced PNP streams.