Late Drama Decides Ducks and Jets Game

Anaheim Ducks 5, Winnipeg Jets 4 (OT): Late Drama Decides It.

Friday night in Anaheim was a wild ride. The Ducks pulled out a 5-4 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets thanks to Chris Kreider tapping in the puck with just 13 seconds left. From a Jets fan’s perspective, it was the kind of game that makes you wince and cheer at the same time. The Jets had leads twice in the third period, only to see them vanish. For the Ducks, it was another reminder that persistence and depth can turn a game around. Anaheim has plenty of both.

Winnipeg showed flashes of skill, no doubt. Kyle Connor extended his point streak to seven games, and Alex Iafallo had a goal and an assist. But late-game lapses, blown assignments, and those pesky rebounds allowed Anaheim back into it. You could see the mental fatigue creeping in. Moments like this are why hockey can be brutal late in the season — one small misstep, one extra pass, and suddenly a two-goal lead evaporates.

Key Point One: Beckett Sennecke Sets Up the Winner.

Sennecke was everywhere, grabbing three assists and setting up Kreider’s overtime goal. That toe-drag on Logan Stanley in the slot? Pure craft. He made the play look easy, but it was built on timing, quick hands, and the confidence of a guy who knows the Ducks never quit. Without him, Anaheim probably doesn’t have the win.

Key Point Two: Winnipeg Continued to Have Late-Game Problems.

Two-goal leads in the third period shouldn’t disappear, but they did. Defensive gaps and slow reaction times opened the door for Anaheim’s comeback. Salomonsson’s first NHL goal was a bright spot, and Trouba did what he could, but the Jets’ structure in crunch time just wasn’t there.

Key Point Three: Both Goaltenders Faced Pressure.

Lukas Dostal was steady for Anaheim, stopping 29 shots and keeping his team in it while they rallied. Hellebuyck faced 35, returned from Olympic gold, and was solid overall, but the rebounds piled up at the worst moments. Add in injuries to Mark Scheifele and Vladislav Namestnikov, and Winnipeg was scrambling late.

Final Thoughts from Winnipeg’s Perspective.

This game told a familiar story: strong bursts of offence, but late-game defensive lapses can undo you. There were some bright spots — Connor’s streak, Salomonsson’s milestone — but the Jets need to protect leads if they want to climb in the standings. Anaheim keeps showing that a deep, confident roster can make magic in the final minutes. For Winnipeg, it’s a lesson in patience and focus: the game isn’t over until the horn blows.