The Winnipeg Jets overcame a 3-0 deficit, but couldn’t seal the deal in Minnesota’s 4-3 overtime win tonight.
Wild forward Nino Niederreiter opened the game with a stunning goal and Zach Parise scored twice in his return from a concussion to give Minnesota a commanding lead after 20 minutes.
Minnesota outshot Winnipeg 11-3 in the first period, but the Jets were able to turn the tide. Goaltender Michael Hutchinson replaced Ondrej Pavelec for the start of the second period and was perfect until overtime. The Jets’ onslaught didn’t pay off though until the third when Michael Frolik, Evander Kane, and Andrew Ladd scored within the span of five minutes.
Minnesota goaltender Niklas Backstrom was replaced by Darcy Kuemper after that goal.
“We bent but we didn’t break,” Wild defenseman Marco Scandella told Michael Russo.
Scandella missed two games due to an illness, but was back on Sunday. His return was timely as he proved to be the difference tonight.
That goal extended the Wild’s winning streak to three games. They’ll play Philadelphia on Thursday.