Nikolaj Ehlers, Jets stage comeback, edge Oilers in OT

[May 24, 2021]    Nikolaj Ehlers scored his second goal of the game in overtime to complete an incredible comeback from three goals down in the third period as the host Winnipeg Jets claimed a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and took a commanding 3-0 lead in their opening-round North Division playoff series.

Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp (9) and Edmonton Oilers right wing Zack Kassian (44) eye the puck in the first period in game three of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell MTS Place. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets will look to complete the sweep at home on Monday.

Mathieu Perreault, Blake Wheeler and Josh Morrissey all scored in a frantic 3:03 span to force overtime. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 44 saves.

Ehlers, who returned to action after missing the last 11 games due to injury, gained the puck in the left circle after Paul Stastny won a faceoff in Edmonton territory, and then he ripped a top-corner shot for the winner 9:13 into the extra period.

Leon Draisaitl scored twice in a three-point game, while Zack Kassian and Jujhar Khaira added singles and Connor McDavid netted three assists in the loss. Mike Smith stopped 32 shots.

With the Oilers ahead 4-1, the Jets started the comeback with Perreault's rebound power-play goal with 8:19 remaining in regulation.

Wheeler then buried a rebound after Morrissey's point shot didn't find the mark to make it a one-goal game with 5:32 left on the clock, and then Morrissey double-clutched with his point shot before he sent a long wrist shot that made it through the screen and Smith's outstretched glove 16 seconds later to force overtime.

Draisaitl and McDavid -- who finished one-two in the regular-season scoring race -- were held off the scoresheet in the first two games of the series and were under the gun to change their fortunes. They made an early statement.

Draisaitl opened the scoring at 6:33. When Slater Koekkoek's point shot was partially blocked and didn't make it to the net, Draisaitl grabbed the loose puck after and tucked it into the net.

Draisaitl's five-on-three power-play goal three minutes later -- a rebound tally -- doubled the lead less than three minutes later.

Ehlers put the Jets on the board by burying a shot with 2:47 remaining in the second period, but Kassian restored Edmonton's two-goal lead 64 seconds later when he finished an odd-man rush that also included Edmonton's dynamic duo.

When Khaira netted his first career playoff goal to extend the lead to 4-1 five minutes into the third period, it appeared the Oilers were on their way to a win.

--Field Level Media

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