Mark Scheifele scored with 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, in the most dramatic finish of the NHL’s six-game slate.
Scheifele’s late power-play goal, confirmed by Field Level Media and TSN, gave Winnipeg a win that looked lost when Tampa Bay came back from 3-1 down in the third period. The Jets improve to 7-8-3, while the Lightning fall to 11-4-2.
It was a game that had everything — a comeback, a late winner, and a crowd at the Canada Life Centre that went from despair to delirium in the final two seconds.
A comeback undone at the death
Tampa Bay had fought back from 3-1 down in the third period to level the game, and with seconds remaining, overtime looked inevitable. But Scheifele, on the power play, found the net with 1.6 seconds on the clock to win it for Winnipeg.
Brayden Yager, the Jets’ young forward, was grinning ear to ear after the game, according to TSN, following a roller-coaster night at the Canada Life Centre. It was a win that will live long in the memory in Winnipeg — and a defeat that will sting in Tampa Bay.
Around the NHL
Elsewhere on Sunday, the Boston Bruins beat the Florida Panthers 4-1 at TD Garden, with Elias Lindholm, Mikey Eyssimont and Morgan Geekie each scoring in an opening period that started out testy. The Bruins improve to 13-4-1, while the Panthers fall to 9-7-2.
The Vegas Golden Knights won their third straight game, 4-1 over the Buffalo Sabres, with Tomas Hertl scoring twice. Vegas improve to 12-5-2, while Buffalo fall to 8-6-3.
The Calgary Flames beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime, with Matt Coronato scoring the winner at 4:08 of the extra period. The New Jersey Devils blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0, with Connor Hellebuyck making 23 saves for his first shutout with New Jersey, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 behind Cutter Gauthier’s third hat-trick in eight days.
What comes next
The Jets’ win is a much-needed boost for a side who have struggled for consistency this season, while the Lightning will rue a game they fought so hard to level — only to lose it in the final two seconds. Boston, Vegas and New Jersey all continue their strong starts to the season, and the NHL’s early-season picture is taking shape.
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