Make it 7 straight: Winnipeg Jets keep rolling undefeated, edging Seattle in O/T

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Peggy

Nikolaj Ehlers scored the winning goal 1:26 into overtime, and the Winnipeg Jets remained unbeaten this season with a 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night.

Winnipeg, which ranks second in NHL scoring, has now scored three or more goals in four consecutive games, and has reached the mark in five of its seven contests this season.

The Jets have also allowed the fewest goals against in the league, picking up where they left off last season. Winnipeg earned the William M. Jennings Trophy last year for giving up just 199 total goals, the least of the 32 teams.

Nino Niederreiter had two goals for the Jets on Thursday and Gabriel Vilardi scored one. Connor Hellebuyck had 29 saves as the Jets improved to 7-0.

Matty Beniers had two goals and an assist for Seattle — his first two of the season. He didn’t score his second goal last season until Seattle’s 18th game.

Beniers was first to find the back of the net, scoring at 11:27 of the first period to put the Kraken ahead 1-0. Seattle’s lead disappeared in the second period when Niederreiter tied it at 3:56.

Hockey players in white and blue celebrate a goal while an opposing player in teal and navy skates past. — Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers notched the game-winning overtime goal. Teammate Mark Scheifele skates over to celebrate as Seattle defenceman Brandon Montour looks away. (Lindsey Wasson/The Associated Press)

The Kraken appeared to take a 2-1 lead on Oliver Bjorkstrand’s goal midway through the second, but the goal was disallowed after review due to goaltender interference.

Vilardi snuck one past Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord a few minutes later, putting Winnipeg ahead 2-1 and making that overturned call sting even more.

Niederreiter scored again just over four minutes into the third period to put the Jets ahead by two.

Jordan Eberle made it a one-score game with 9:58 left with his sixth goal in Seattle’s first eight games, and Beniers tapped in his second with 3:22 remaining to tie it at 3-3.

Daccord finished with 32 saves.