The Winnipeg Jets suffered another painful defeat on Thursday night after Roope Hintz scored twice late in the game, lifting the Dallas Stars to a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory.
The October 22 matchup in Dallas saw the Jets surrender a third-period lead before Hintz completed the comeback with an overtime winner. The defeat extended Winnipeg’s winless run to four games, adding to the team’s early-season challenges.
Jets Take Control in the Second Period
Dallas opened the scoring early in the second period when Wyatt Johnston found the back of the net, giving the Stars a 1-0 advantage.
Winnipeg responded with two goals in quick succession to take control of the contest.
Gabriel Vilardi tied the game with a determined effort in front of the Dallas net, capitalizing on a loose puck near goaltender Jake Oettinger’s pads.
Less than two minutes later, Kyle Connor put the Jets ahead 2-1. Connor converted a pass from defenseman Neal Pionk, firing a one-timer past Oettinger from the right faceoff circle.
The two goals gave Winnipeg momentum, while goaltender Stuart Skinner delivered several important saves to preserve the lead.
Skinner was particularly impressive late in the second period, making a remarkable glove save to prevent a puck from crossing the goal line after a close-range deflection.
Despite Dallas creating scoring opportunities, Winnipeg carried its 2-1 advantage into the third period.
Hintz Delivers a Late Equalizer
The Jets appeared close to securing a much-needed victory as the third period progressed, but Dallas continued searching for an equalizer.
With two minutes remaining in regulation, the Stars pulled their goaltender to add an extra attacker. The decision paid off when Mikko Rantanen worked the puck from behind the Winnipeg net and found Hintz in front.
Hintz finished the opportunity to make it 2-2, leaving Winnipeg with little time to respond.
The late goal erased the Jets’ lead and forced overtime, turning what had looked like a potential Winnipeg victory into a tense finish.
The equalizer also highlighted Dallas’ persistence, as the Stars continued applying pressure despite trailing for much of the second half of the game.
Hintz Completes the Comeback in Overtime
The decisive moment arrived 3 minutes and 47 seconds into overtime.
After Winnipeg’s Neil Pionk had a shot blocked, Dallas quickly transitioned into attack. Defenseman Miro Heiskanen sent a pass forward that gave Hintz a breakaway opportunity.
The Dallas forward skated in alone on Skinner and fired the puck past the Winnipeg goaltender to seal the 3-2 victory.
Hintz’s two late goals made him the central figure in Dallas’ comeback, while Rantanen and Heiskanen played important roles in setting up the decisive scoring chances.
Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger finished with 17 saves, while Skinner stopped 35 shots for Winnipeg. The shot totals reflected the pressure the Jets faced throughout the contest, with Dallas outshooting Winnipeg 38-19.
Winnipeg Jets Face Growing Pressure
The defeat marked Winnipeg’s fourth consecutive loss in games decided by a single goal, leaving the team searching for a way to turn competitive performances into victories.
Although Vilardi and Connor provided the offensive spark in the second period, the Jets were unable to protect their advantage when Dallas increased the pressure late in regulation.
The game also ended on a concerning note for Winnipeg forward Nino Niederreiter, who left the ice in the third period after being struck in the face by a teammate’s stick.
For Dallas, the victory extended its winning streak to four games and continued a strong stretch of performances. Johnston contributed a goal and an assist, while Rantanen and Jason Robertson each recorded two assists.
The Stars will look to maintain their momentum during their ongoing homestand. Meanwhile, Winnipeg returns home to prepare for its upcoming Heritage Classic matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.
For the Jets, the immediate challenge is finding a way to close out tight games. Against Dallas, a lead that lasted deep into the third period disappeared in the final two minutes, before Hintz delivered the final blow in overtime.
Swifteradio.com
