Morrissey scores in overtime against the Capitals to secure a sixth consecutive win for the Jets

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This article was published 01/02/2025 (261 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WASHINGTON — This was a game that lived up to its billing and the Winnipeg Jets showed that they most definitely measure up with the Washington Capitals.

In a game that featured the best team in the Western Conference and the best team in the East, the Jets had a dominant opening period to build a lead, then went back and forth before earning the extra point when Josh Morrissey scored at 1:57 of overtime to propel his team to a 5-4 triumph.

This was the latest example of resilience from a Jets team that has won six consecutive games — including three on this road trip against opponents from the Eastern Conference.

“I mean, it was a crazy game. There was a lot of weird stuff going on, a lot of goals,” said Morrissey, who scored twice and played just under 25 minutes.

“Obviously both teams are known for scoring, but also their defensive game. So I think both teams would probably want to clean some of those things up. But for just one game, a lot of swings. Great energy in the arena, and it was nice to be able to stick it out and get the two points.

“Both teams have a lot of pride and want to show that they’re the better team, I suppose. So there was solid intensity out there. I really liked our first. I thought they kind of took over in the second and third, and went back and forth. But we found a way to be resilient in the game.”

This game had some additional juice to it and the rematch on March 25 in Winnipeg figures to be another doozy.

“Back and forth, two best teams in the league going at it. Kind of fitting the game went to overtime,” said Jets forward Cole Perfetti, who had a goal and an assist.

“There’s a couple things, we always say that, that you can clean up — and we want to hold that lead when we have it, but that’s a tough building to come in and play. They’re a great team, so we’re happy with that.

“We only play these guys twice a year, and we (hadn’t) played them yet. They’re obviously doing really well, and we’re doing well, too. So I think it was a little bit of a measuring stick, you want to see how you stack up against teams you don’t see often and teams in the East. But at the end of the day, we’re just worrying about ourselves, worrying about our day-to-day process and how we can become the best team we can be.”

The Jets, who improved to 37-14-3 overall, have two games remaining before the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off and host Mikko Rantanen and the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

“We really liked our first. We came out great. The second period looked a little too casual,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel.

“They got the momentum back and kind of got after us there a bit. But in the third, it was kind of we got the lead back, got out in front and then we got back on our heels and they had a big push.

“We haven’t won here in 11 tries, so that had a lot to do with it, too. Finally getting a win in here was nice. But you know you’re going against some elite players on the opposite side, and we’ve been watching what they’ve been doing. You’re following them in the standings, watching them on the highlights and when you have a game like that, exciting for the fans, not so much for the coaches.”

Let’s take a closer look at what transpired:

HEATING UP

Jets forward Perfetti has found another gear.

The winger scored a power play and set up Dylan Samberg for another on Saturday, moving him to 11 goals and 32 points.

Perfetti went through a bit of an offensive drought, but he emphasized the need to find other ways to impact the game when he isn’t producing as much. These days, he’s playing with a lot of confidence and getting back to chipping in the way he’s expected to.

Perfetti is riding a three-game point streak and has chipped in four goals and seven points during his past four outings – which included his first career hat trick.

“He’s played great all year. And obviously guys get hot and cold … and whether he’s been scoring or not he’s been contributing every single night in ways that maybe go unnoticed,” said Morrissey.

“He’s such a smart player and plays great at both ends of the ice in whatever role he’s asked to play. So you see what kind of hockey sense he has and skill. And when maybe it’s not going in for him you know that it’s right around the corner.”

Perfetti’s goal was the result of him getting to the net and burying a rebound after an initial shot by Vladislav Namestnikov was stopped.

That gave the Jets second power play unit goals in consecutive games. Their ability to augment the output from the top unit is a big reason the Jets have managed to remain the top-ranked power play in the NHL.

“We’re just being direct and taking what’s being given. We’re not really picking and choosing what we’re doing,” said Perfetti. “If they’re giving us something, then we’re going to take that and do it with intent and authority. It’s been working.

“Today, we got one off the rush, they give us a little break in off the rush, and Vladdy instead of him curling and trying to set it up he takes it right to the net. That’s kind of our mindset. Shots towards the net, and then recoveries and rebounds and try to get them out of sorts. Whether it’s off the rush or what we set up, it doesn’t really matter. We have that same mindset. Our unit has been playing well.”

 

THE GREAT EIGHT

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is 18 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky for the all-time record for NHL goals.

Ovechkin had a relatively quiet outing until the third period, when he wired home a one-timer, burying a pass from Tom Wilson, to tie the score 4-4 at 12:21 of the third period.

It was the 24th goal of the season for Ovechkin, who is up to 877.

“That shot, I’ve seen that shot before,” said Arniel. “That came off in a hurry and obviously ‘Helly’ didn’t have time to react to that one.”

This was one of the records most people thought was untouchable, but now it seems like a matter of when, not if.

“There are certain ones that you just look at and you shake your head. You think it’s unachievable, but they’re meant to be broken,” said Jets left-winger Kyle Connor, who knows a thing or two about finding the net with regularity.

“You look at his career and he scores in so many different ways. It’s awesome to watch. The thing I like about him is the passion he has for when he scores, you can just tell that he loves the game and you have to when you play for this long.”

Jets defenceman Morrissey said that Ovechkin was a guy he enjoyed watching growing up and you can understand why.

“It was the whole aura about him. Obviously he’s big, powerful, the way he plays the game with such excitement,” said Morrissey. “You think of the goal celebrations, the passion, the physicality, his style as a kid – the chrome visor and yellow laces and all that kind of stuff. All those things that kids get really excited about.

“He had that X-factor that made people excited to watch him play. That’s what he’s done at an insane level throughout his whole career. He’s definitely one of the greats to play the game.”

Arniel spent four seasons with the Capitals as an assistant coach and has an appreciation of what Ovechkin has done during his career.

“It was a thrill to work with a guy like that, who was so professional and first class,” said Arniel.

“Just to watch what he does on a nightly basis at his stage, being so consistent over the years, I don’t think anybody was expecting him to be this close at this time of year. But that’s Ovi. He likes to prove people wrong.”

 

HELLO OLD FRIEND

Former Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois seems to have settled in with his new team.

Dubois had a little extra spring in his step on Saturday and his enthusiastic celebration showed you that it was special for him to deliver a goal against the team that sent him to the Los Angeles Kings in June of 2023.

Dubois went hard to the net and found a rebound after an initial shot from John Carlson.

That moved Dubois to 12 goals and 42 points in 51 games this season.

“It’s great,” said Connor, asked what it was like to see his old linemate back in fine form after struggling last season. “For whatever reason, in LA it didn’t work out. He was a great teammate. I have nothing but great things to say about him. I loved playing with him.

“You can see that when he’s on, he just flips that switch and he’s unstoppable.”

Dubois had five shots on goal and six shot attempts to go along with one hit in 18:45 of ice time.

 

THE KEY PLAY

Mark Scheifele found Morrissey alone in front at 1:57 of overtime to secure a sixth consecutive win for the Jets.

 

THE THREE STARS

1) Josh Morrissey, Jets, scored two goals, including the OT winner.

2) Matt Roy, Capitals, chipped in three assists.

3) Neal Pionk, Jets, contributed two assists in 23:44 of ice time.

 

EXTRA, EXTRA

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made his 42nd start of the season and finished with 25 saves. Former Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Logan Thompson made 25 saves for the Capitals.

Samberg and Alex Iafallo also scored for the Jets.

Jets defenceman Colin Miller stayed in the lineup on the third pairing, which meant the healthy scratches were forward Brad Lambert and blue-liners Haydn Fleury and Ville Heinola.

 

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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