The short version
- The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in overtime after scoring four goals in just over two minutes to erase a 4-0 deficit.
- Kyle Connor scored twice in rapid succession while Tyrel Bauer completed a Gordie Howe hat-trick, including his first career goal, during the historic rally.
- The victory ended a nine-game losing streak for Winnipeg, which had been exacerbated by the recent trade of star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
The Winnipeg Jets concluded a prolonged period of struggle with a dramatic victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. Trailing by four goals late in the third period, the visitors mounted a historic rally that saw them score four times in two minutes and six seconds. This rapid offensive surge tied the game with only thirty-three seconds remaining in regulation, setting the stage for an overtime finish.
Dylan Samberg secured the win for Winnipeg at the 3:30 mark of extra time, beating Montreal goaltender Jacob Fowler with a wrist shot. The result halted a nine-game losing streak for the Jets, who had entered the contest facing intense scrutiny regarding their season trajectory. The team was coming off a decisive defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes and had not recorded a win since mid-October.
The collapse of the Canadiens' lead was precipitated by a flurry of scoring from Winnipeg players who found momentum in the final minutes. Kyle Connor, an eleven-year veteran with the franchise, scored two goals separated by just twenty-seven seconds. Both were one-timers executed after Montreal pulled their goaltender to add an attacker. The second goal arrived on the power play, effectively sealing the tie that sent the game into overtime.
Defenseman Tyrel Bauer played a pivotal role in shifting the momentum of the contest. In his tenth NHL game, the sixth-round draft pick engaged in a physical altercation with Montreal's Arber Xhekaj late in regulation. The fight energized the Jets' bench and crowd, leading to a penalty for both players. Shortly after returning to play, Bauer scored his first career goal to make it 4-2, completing a Gordie Howe hat-trick that included an assist on Morgan Barron's earlier goal.
Bauer described the final minutes as a blur of adrenaline and team cohesion. He noted that he blacked out during the intense stretch but felt supported by his teammates both in the locker room and on the ice. The physical confrontation with Xhekaj, whose brother Florian also took a penalty nearby, appeared to galvanize the Jets' defensemen and forwards alike. Bauer emphasized that the group believed in each other despite the mounting pressure of the losing streak.
For much of the game, Montreal held firm behind the stellar performance of Jacob Fowler. The twenty-one-year-old American, named rookie of the month for October, made nineteen saves in the second period alone. He repeatedly denied Mark Scheifele and others, keeping Winnipeg scoreless despite controlling significant portions of playtime. Fowler's resilience made the eventual collapse all the more shocking to observers who saw a certain victory for the home team.
The Canadiens struggled to account for their inability to close out the game. Cole Caufield, who had extended Montreal's lead to 4-0 early in the third period, admitted that his teammates likely assumed the contest was decided. He offered no excuses for the breakdown, calling the loss terrible and acknowledging that a four-goal cushion should have been insurmountable. The team's inability to maintain defensive structure in the final minutes proved costly.
Montreal head coach Martin St Louis conceded that his team received what they deserved based on their overall performance. He noted that while the score favored Montreal for most of the night, Winnipeg was the superior team when viewing the game as a whole. St Louis expressed difficulty in explaining how such a lopsided situation unraveled so quickly, stating he had never been part of anything similar in his career.
The victory carries significant weight for the Jets organization, which has faced turbulence since requesting a trade for former MVP goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck's departure to the New Jersey Devils marked a tumultuous end to his tenure with Winnipeg and left the team searching for stability. Coach Scott Arniel viewed this win as a potential turning point, emphasizing that it is still early in the season.
Arniel stressed that the Jets remain within striking distance of playoff contention in the Western Conference, sitting just four points out of a spot. He acknowledged the grind of recent weeks but insisted that the team must stay competitive to keep their hopes alive. The dramatic nature of this win may serve as the jump-start required to reverse their fortunes and rebuild confidence heading into the second half of the schedule.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗‘I blacked out’: Canadiens blow 4-0 lead with less than three minutes to go in loss to Jets
