Winnipeg knew it would have to battle in the coming weeks, with defenceman Josh Morrissey sidelined by an upper-body injury, while forward Nino Niederreiter and defenceman Neal Pionk are week-to-week. The Jets were also without star netminder Connor Hellebuyck, who has yet to return from the Olympics.
Vancouver opened the scoring just 1:58 into the game on its first shot. Logan Stanley’s clearing attempt was intercepted by Brock Boeser, who held the puck in and found Drew O’Connor alone inside the left circle. O’Connor beat Jets goaltender Eric Comrie five-hole for his 14th of the year.
Winnipeg responded just past the midway point of the opening frame. Mark Scheifele controlled the puck behind the Canucks’ net and slipped a backhand pass to Kyle Connor at the side of the crease. Connor, fresh off winning Olympic gold, quickly shifted from backhand to forehand and beat Nikita Tolopilo for his 26th of the campaign.
The game remained tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, with Winnipeg holding an 8-7 edge in shots.
Former Jet Evander Kane restored Vancouver’s lead just 38 seconds into the second period, scoring his 10th of the season. Elias Pettersson won an offensive-zone faceoff back to Kane, who wired a wrist shot from the left circle past Comrie’s shoulder to make it 2-1.
After the early goal, the Jets took control of the middle frame, outshooting the Canucks 13-4.
Gabriel Vilardi tied the game at 18:45, redirecting Scheifele’s pass from the bottom of the right circle over Tolopilo’s pad for his 22nd of the season.
The third period flipped the script, as Winnipeg was outshot 11-3. However, Comrie stood tall to force overtime.
Despite trailing twice, the Jets completed the comeback with a 3-2 overtime victory. Cole Perfetti fired a rebound high over Tolopilo’s blocker after the Vancouver goaltender deflected Adam Lowry’s centering attempt into the slot. Perfetti made no mistake, scoring his first career overtime winner and seventh goal of the season.
Comrie finished with 21 saves, while Scheifele recorded two assists as Winnipeg improved to 23-26-8.