Scheifele Lifts Jets Past Blackhawks in OT
Mark Scheifele delivered the decisive goal with 2:54 remaining in overtime as the Winnipeg Jets rallied for a 3–2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, opening an eight-game homestand with a comeback win.
The game-winning play began with longtime Chicago star Jonathan Toews battling to keep the puck inside the offensive zone. Moments later, Dylan Samberg regained possession from the Blackhawks and set up Scheifele, who beat goaltender Spencer Knight low on the glove side.
The overtime finish capped an intense closing sequence for Winnipeg, which was playing its fourth straight game decided beyond regulation after posting a 1-0-2 record on a recent three-game California road trip.
Despite the victory, the Jets improved only slightly in extra-time contests, moving to 4-10 in overtime this season, including 3-8 in three-on-three play.
Samberg helped spark Winnipeg early, scoring his first goal of the season 3:59 into the game during four-on-four action. The play developed when Kyle Connor advanced the puck to Scheifele, who spotted Samberg slipping away from his defender for the opening score. Samberg finished the night with a goal and an assist.
Chicago answered late in the first period. Teuvo Teravainen tied the game on a power-play goal with 1:12 remaining after Winnipeg’s Gabriel Vilardi received a four-minute double minor for high-sticking Alex Vlasic. During the advantage, Connor Bedard found Frank Nazar, who quickly moved the puck to Teravainen in the slot for the finish.
The goal was Teravainen’s third in the last two games. The Finnish forward recently earned a bronze medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Neither team scored in the second period, although Chicago created several opportunities. Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard tested Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck multiple times from close range. Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner, also denied a breakaway attempt by Ilya Mikheyev and finished the night with 18 saves.
Chicago moved ahead early in the third period when Ryan Greene scored just 32 seconds in. Taking a pass from Bedard, Greene fired a shot over Hellebuyck’s left shoulder.
The Jets pushed for the equalizer late in regulation. After Winnipeg pulled Hellebuyck for an extra attacker, Gabriel Vilardi nearly tied the game with a minute remaining, but Knight stopped both the initial shot and the ensuing scramble. Knight ended the game with 29 saves.
Winnipeg finally broke through with 39 seconds left in regulation when Cole Perfetti collected a pass from Scheifele and sent a wrist shot past Knight to force overtime.
Scheifele, who had already assisted on the first two goals, completed the comeback in overtime with his 28th goal of the season. The tally gave him the team leads in scoring, moving ahead of Connor after the two had been tied with 27 goals each.
