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This article was published 24/03/2012 (4083 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AT VERIZON CENTER

 

Big picture

It’s not ideal — not a “clean” win as Claude Noel would put it — but given where the Jets were in this game, down 3-0 26 minutes in and the season fading, these two points are absolutely, positively critical in keeping their playoff hopes alive. Essentially, the Jets went from dead and buried to still having a pulse and now head into Nashville Saturday for their next biggest game of the year.

 

Little picture

The Jets remain in 10th, but close the gap on the Caps to four points. Buffalo and Washington both have 82, the Jets are at 78 — with a game in hand on both clubs. The question now is, can the Jets use the momentum from that comeback to further fuel their playoff push?

Game Breaker

Tim Stapleton played the OT hero, as the Jets pushed and pushed and pushed in the third period and then in extra time. Stapleton picked his spot on Michal Neuvirth and then put it there with a seeing-eye snipe.

SUMMARY

First Period

1. Washington, Chimera 18 (Halpern, Semin) 16:06

Penalty — Wheeler Wpg (hooking) 13:27.

Second Period

2. Washington, Ovechkin 34 (Laich, Knuble) 1:42

3. Washington, Ovechkin 35 (Perreault, Chimera) 5:47

4. Winnipeg, Maxwell 1 (Stapleton, Machacek) 7:01

5. Winnipeg, Little 22 (Enstrom, Wheeler) 8:12

Penalties — Slater Wpg, Laich Wash (fighting) 7:07, Wideman Wash (interference) 8:59, Hainsey Wpg (cross-checking) 13:05.

Third Period

6. Winnipeg, Machacek 1 (Maxwell) 16:15

Penalty — Laich Wash (tripping) 6:58.

Overtime

7. Winnipeg, Stapleton 10 (Byfuglien) 2:37

Penalties — None.

Shots on goal by

Winnipeg 8 15 17 2–42

Washington 7 14 2 0–23

Goal — Winnipeg: Pavelec (W,28-25-7); Washington: Neuvirth (L,11-12-5).

Power plays (goals-chances) — Winnipeg: 0-2; Washington: 0-2.

Referees — Steve Kozari, Marc Joannette. Linesmen — Michel Cormier, Mark Shewchyk.

Attendance — 18,506 (18,398).