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Winnipeg Jets Cap Phenomenal Regular Season with Overtime Victory
The Winnipeg Jets concluded an impressive regular season on a high note, securing a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against the Anaheim Ducks. Mark Scheifele’s overtime goal not only delighted the home crowd but also marked a historic finish to the Jets’ campaign, allowing the team to set a franchise record with 116 points.
The Jets showcased their offensive prowess right from the start, launching a barrage of 19 shots at Ducks’ goaltender Ville Husso in the first period. Despite their efforts, the Jets were unable to convert any of those chances into a goal, while goalie Connor Hellebuyck remained solid, stopping all nine shots he faced during the first 20 minutes.
As the second period unfolded, both teams continued to attack, with the Jets finally breaking through on their 28th shot. Following a faceoff victory in the offensive zone, defenseman Neal Pionk unleashed a shot from the point that deflected past a screened Husso at 13:49, marking Pionk’s 10th goal of the season and equaling his personal best.
Cole Perfetti also contributed to the play with an assist, reaching the milestone of 50 points in his rookie NHL season.
The Jets maintained their offensive momentum with a 15-13 shot advantage in the second period, leading to a total of 34-22 shots over 40 minutes of play.
The Ducks equalized 5:45 into the third period when Troy Terry capitalized on a rebound, beating Hellebuyck with Anaheim’s 24th shot of the night. The Jets had an opportunity to regain the lead shortly thereafter, as the Ducks were penalized for a fourth time in the game. However, they were unable to convert on the power play, resulting in the game remaining tied.
In the closing moments of the third, Winnipeg created several scoring opportunities, but Alex Iafallo missed the net on a partial breakaway, and Kyle Connor was denied in close by Husso, ultimately sending the game into overtime.
During overtime, defenseman Josh Morrissey’s critical poke-check thwarted an Anaheim odd-man rush and ignited a counterattack for the Jets. Although Connor and Scheifele initially failed to connect, the play continued as Connor retrieved the puck behind the net, feeding it to Morrissey, who then set up Scheifele for a decisive shot. Scheifele’s goal marked his 39th of the season, along with his 11th game-winner, establishing a new franchise record.
Connor’s assist during the play concluded his season with an impressive 97 points—a franchise-era record—while Scheifele’s performance also reached new heights, finishing with a career-best 87 points.
Hellebuyck’s stellar performance included 30 saves, clinching his 47th win of the season, which ties for the third-most all-time for a single season by a goaltender—a mere one win shy of the record. Additionally, he earned the William M. Jennings Trophy for the second consecutive year, awarded to the goaltenders of the team allowing the fewest goals in the NHL. Notably, Eric Comrie’s contribution paralleled his participation in 20 games, falling short of the league’s threshold for trophy acknowledgment.
The Jets are now poised to embark on their playoff journey, where they will face the St. Louis Blues for the second time in franchise history. Their previous postseason encounter resulted in a first-round exit in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The NHL is expected to announce the postseason schedule soon.
Source
globalnews.ca