Jets Rally from Three-Goal Deficit to Defeat Hurricanes

In a matchup between two of the top teams in the Eastern and Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets and Carolina Hurricanes squared off at PNC Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Jets and Hurricanes were both entering their first game in March after having an excellent month of hockey in February, as the Jets finished the month with a record of 7-4-0 and the Canes recorded an 8-3-1 record. The two squads would put on a show as the Canes would score three straight goals in the second period, but the Jets would rally to score five unanswered goals in the third to come away with the 5-3 comeback victory. With the win, the Jets improved to 38-16-5 for 81 points and remain tied with the Dallas Stars for first place in the Central Division. Meanwhile, the Canes dropped to 36-19-6 for 78 points and sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division. Let’s take a look at how the Jets pulled out the stunning victory. 

In the first period, neither team would find much success in a slow start to the afternoon matchup. However, in the second, the Hurricanes would break the scoreless tie at 10:12 after Martin Necas would score off a wrist shot in the left circle. Five minutes later, Teuvo Teravainen would extend the Canes’ lead to 2-0 after receiving a loose puck pass from Sebastian Aho that Teravainen shot past goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s blocker. With under a minute left in the middle frame, Aho would score his 24th goal of the season to extend the Hurricanes lead to 3-0. In the third, the Jets would start their comeback after Kyle Connor would score off a one-timer at 1:36 to cut the Jets’ deficit to 3-1. Less than two minutes later, Nino Niederreiter would score on a backhand shot at 3:02 to make it 3-2. At 5:40, the Jets would even it up at 3-3 after Mark Scheifele would score on a power-play tap-in goal. 

With three minutes left in regulation, Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov attempted to clear a loose puck ten feet out in front but failed and Sean Monahan gathered the puck and scored into the empty net to give the Jets a late 4-3 lead. Niederreiter would add an empty-net goal with ten seconds left for his second goal of the game and to seal the thrilling comeback victory for the Jets. Following the game, Monahan would discuss with reporters about the team’s emotions following a dramatic victory. Monahan stated, “A comeback win always feels good,” Monahan continued, “Everyone stuck with it. It was a big team win.” The Jets will look to keep the good mojo going as they will complete a back-to-back on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres.