The Winnipeg Jets came back from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday, ending a nine-game losing streak with the latest four-goal comeback in NHL history. Winnipeg scored four goals in the final 2:06 of regulation, tying the game with 33 seconds left before Dylan Samberg secured the win at 3:30 of overtime.
Montreal appeared in control after Cole Caufield scored early in the third period to make it 4-0. Jets winger Kyle Connor kept believing, however, and finished with two goals. His two one-timers, scored 27 seconds apart with Winnipeg’s goalie pulled, brought the Jets level; the second came on the power play.
Tyrel Bauer sparked the rally with his first NHL goal, scored with 2:39 remaining. He had dropped the gloves with Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj earlier in the period, and his goal completed a Gordie Howe hat-trick after he later assisted on Morgan Barron’s goal. Barron made it 4-2 at 18:03 before Connor’s late equalizer.
Montreal goalie Jacob Fowler had made 19 saves in the second period alone, including several against Mark Scheifele. After the loss, Canadiens winger Cole Caufield said the team may have thought the game was over, adding that there was no excuse for surrendering a four-goal lead. Head coach Martin St Louis said Winnipeg had been the better team overall.
The Jets had entered the game seeking their first win since 13 October and were coming off a 7-0 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes. Coach Scott Arniel said Winnipeg was still in the hunt for a playoff place and hoped the comeback would provide a jump-start for the team’s season.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.