The Winnipeg Jets had the final say in a back-and-forth divisional battle that saw them knock off the Florida Panthers in a 4-3 shootout on Monday.
The Jets trailed 3-2 in the third period and were seconds away from defeat before Evander Kane delivered his second goal of the game to tie the contest with 50 seconds remaining in regulation.
After a scoreless overtime period, Winnipeg converted two of three shootout attempts, while goaltender Ondrej Pavelec faced two unsuccessful shots from Florida to cap a stellar night.
Pavelec finished with 39 saves, including 19 in the first period, and shone in the extra sessions after it appeared Florida (6-4-1) had stolen the game in the third.
First-period goals by Kyle Wellwood and Kane had given the Jets a 2-1 lead, but Florida’s Tomas Fleischmann scored twice in the third to rally the Panthers to a 3-2 edge with 2 minutes, 10 seconds left.
“We didn’t let that last goal put us down,” Winnipeg captain Andrew Ladd told reporters. “We came back and found a way to get another one and get a win.”
Kane’s timely goal played a big part and helped Winnipeg (4-6-1) get the best of their Southeast Division rivals.
His score was a backhand rebound out of midair and was originally waved off for high-sticking but the ruling was reversed after a video review.
“I’ve never really seen that before, but it was nice to see them make the right call,” Kane said. “I wasn’t too nervous. I thought my stick was definitely below the crossbar. Like I said, they talked it over and made the right call.”
Following overtime, Andrew Ladd and Wellwood netted the two shootout scores to help the Jets earn a big win on the third contest of their seven-game road trip.
RANGERS 5, SHARKS 2
Ryan Callahan scored twice in New York’s three-goal second period as New York shook off a blown lead and raced past the surging San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Monday night.
The Rangers led 2-0 in the first period, but squandered it to the Sharks, who were trying to complete a sweep of a six-game road trip.
Artem Anisimov also scored in the second after Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan had goals in the first. Martin Biron made 24 saves to improve to 2-0 as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup. Callahan added an assist and Dan Girardi, Erik Christensen and Brandon Dubinsky all had two assists.
All that, and fan favorite Sean Avery could be back in the lineup tomorrow if he were to clear waivers yesterday.
Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture had goals for the Sharks (6-4) and Antti Niemi stopped 26 shots.
BLACKHAWKS 5, PREDATORS 4, OT
In Chicago, Viktor Stalberg scored at 2:18 of overtime and Patrick Kane had two goals and an assist in regulation to help the Blackhawks beat the Predators.
Stalberg rushed down the right wing on a 3-on-2 break, but pulled up with a move that made Nashville defenseman Jack Hillen turn the wrong way. Stalberg then fired a shot past Pekke Rinne for his third goal in two games.
Nick Leddy and Bryan Bickell also scored for the Blackhawks (7-2-2), who got three assists from Marian Hossa.
Patric Hornqvist scored twice and Craig Smith and Dave Legwand also connected for the Predators (5-5-1).
Chicago’s Duncan Keith, last year’s Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s top defenseman, left the game in the second period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return.
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