The Winnipeg Jets pulled off the latest four-goal comeback in NHL history on Tuesday night, recovering from a four-goal third-period deficit to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in overtime at the Bell Centre. Dylan Samberg scored the winning goal in extra time to end Winnipeg’s nine-game losing streak.
Trailing 4-0 with under three minutes left in regulation, Winnipeg scored four times in just two minutes and six seconds to tie the game before completing the remarkable victory in overtime, as reported by the Associated Press.
A Record-Breaking Third Period
Montreal looked poised for a comfortable win after Cole Caufield scored early in the third period to extend the Canadiens’ lead to 4-0. Montreal goaltender Jacob Fowler had been dominant, making 42 saves overall—including 19 in the second period alone—to keep the Jets off the scoreboard for most of the night.
The momentum shifted after Winnipeg rookie defenseman Tyrel Bauer engaged in a fight with Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj midway through the final period. Bauer then sparked the comeback on the scoreboard, scoring his first career NHL goal with 2:39 remaining in regulation.
Morgan Barron cut the deficit to 4-2 at 18:03, with Bauer assisting on the play to complete a Gordie Howe hat trick. With the goaltender pulled for an extra attacker, Kyle Connor delivered two one-timers just 27 seconds apart to tie the score 4-4 with 33 seconds remaining. Samberg then clinched the win at 3:30 of overtime with a wrist shot past Fowler.
“What a way to end the streak we were on,” Connor said after the game.
Reactions from Both Benches
Bauer praised his teammates for sticking together through a grueling stretch. “That’s a long, hard stretch, but this group believed in each other,” Bauer said. “We had each other’s backs in that room, the guys had my back on the ice tonight. I blacked out for the rest of it.”
On the opposing side, the Canadiens struggled to process how the victory slipped away. “I guess (we) thought the game was over,” Caufield said. “We had a four-goal lead. There’s no excuse for this. It’s terrible.”
Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis admitted that Winnipeg was the superior side over 60 minutes despite the scoreline, stating that his team got what they deserved and that he had never witnessed a late collapse like it.
The dramatic victory comes as a major relief for Winnipeg, who entered the contest seeking their first win since Oct. 13. The team had faced significant adversity early in the season following former MVP goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request and eventual move to the New Jersey Devils, as well as a 7-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. Jets head coach Scott Arniel expressed hope that the historic comeback will serve as a jump-start for the team as they remain within four points of a Western Conference playoff berth.
