Kyle Connor scored a power-play goal just 51 seconds into overtime, leading the Winnipeg Jets to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. This win marked their third consecutive victory.
Mark Scheifele contributed with a goal and an assist in his 800th NHL game, while Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves. This was the Jets’ second overtime win in a row.
Jake Middleton scored for Minnesota, and Filip Gustavsson recorded 33 saves.
Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian was penalized for holding Scheifele’s stick with just 6 seconds left in regulation, giving Winnipeg the advantage as they headed into overtime.
Scheifele scored his 301st career goal and has extended his point streak to three games, totaling four goals and two assists during this stretch.
Winnipeg has been focusing on improving its special teams this season, and it’s paying off. They successfully killed three penalties in this game, bringing their total to 5 for 5 this season. Last year, they ranked 22nd in the league.
Wild: Minnesota faced difficulties even before the game began, coming off a 5-4 shootout loss at home to Seattle the night before. They also lost their top center, Joel Eriksson Ek, and defenseman and captain, Jared Spurgeon, to injuries in that game.
The Jets pulled Hellebuyck with 2.9 seconds left in the first period and added an extra attacker in the offensive zone. Adam Lowry won the faceoff against Matt Boldy and passed the puck to Scheifele, who scored under Gustavsson with 1.5 seconds remaining, tying the game at 1-1.