The Anaheim Ducks delivered yet another electrifying performance on Friday night, rallying from behind to secure a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets at Honda Center. The February 27, 2026, matchup was not just another tick in the win column—it marked the Ducks’ ninth multi-goal comeback this season, a feat unmatched by any other NHL team in 2025-26 and achieved in only 58 games. Fans in Anaheim left with more than just a win; they were treated to free chicken and a night filled with heart-stopping moments, courtesy of rookie Beckett Sennecke and veteran Chris Kreider.
The contest, broadcast nationally on ESPN+ and available for local fans at Honda Center, pitted the sixth-ranked Ducks (31-23-3) against the 13th-place Jets (23-26-8) in the Western Conference standings. Both teams came into the game with injury concerns: the Ducks missed Petr Mrazek (out for the season), Frank Vatrano (broken shoulder), Mikael Granlund (upper-body), Ryan Strome (illness), and Troy Terry (upper-body). The Jets were without Joshua Morrissey and Neal Pionk, while several others, including Connor Hellebuyck and Colin Miller, were listed as day-to-day.
From the opening faceoff, the game promised fireworks. It took just 84 seconds for Winnipeg’s Alex Iafallo to open the scoring, finishing a sharp cross-ice pass from Cole Perfetti after a slick neutral zone entry by Dylan Samberg. The Jets’ early momentum was palpable, and Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal was immediately put to the test, making several key saves—including a highlight-reel stop on Kyle Connor during a Jets power play.
The physicality was evident, with heavyweights Ross Johnston and Luke Schenn dropping the gloves in the first period. Despite Dostal’s efforts, the Jets extended their lead early in the second period. After a power-play opportunity, Gabriel Vilardi converted a one-timer from between the hashmarks, assisted by Connor, putting Winnipeg up by two. The Ducks, though, refused to wilt. Their fourth line worked deep in the Jets’ zone, and just before the second intermission, Jacob Trouba—facing his former club—fired a puck from the corner that found its way in, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
“Scoring that goal late in the second period was huge for us,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville remarked, emphasizing the importance of Trouba’s timely tally.
The third period was a rollercoaster. Winnipeg quickly restored their two-goal cushion just 87 seconds in, but the Ducks’ power play came alive. Leo Carlsson notched his 20th goal of the season, matching Kreider’s total, by cashing in from the doorstep after Jackson LaCombe batted a rebound his way. Beckett Sennecke’s relentless net drive created the initial chance, and his knack for generating chaos in front of the net proved invaluable.
“He’s one of the best goalies in the world. You’re probably not going to beat him clean, so you’ve just got to create rebounds and get bodies at the net, and that’s how we scored those two goals,” Sennecke said, referring to Hellebuyck’s prowess between the pipes. Hellebuyck, fresh off an Olympic gold medal with Team USA and last year’s Hart and Vezina trophies, was tested all night, ultimately stopping 35 shots.
Sennecke’s impact didn’t stop there. Another low, hard shot from the rookie bounced off Hellebuyck’s pad, right to Pavel Mintyukov, who buried his seventh goal of the campaign. The Ducks had erased a two-goal deficit for the second straight game, having done so just days earlier against Edmonton. The Honda Center crowd roared as Anaheim’s belief in their comeback magic grew stronger.
Mintyukov continued to shine, winning a crucial board battle and setting up Alex Killorn, who found Ryan Poehling streaking through the neutral zone. Poehling’s determined rush beat three defenders, and his finish gave Anaheim their first lead of the night—a testament to the team’s resilience and depth. It was Poehling’s sixth goal as a Duck, and Mintyukov added an assist to his already impressive night.
But Winnipeg wasn’t done. With just 1:22 left in regulation, and Hellebuyck pulled for an extra attacker, chaos erupted in the Ducks’ zone. A blocked shot left the puck loose, and Perfetti pounced, feeding Connor for the dramatic equalizer. The Jets’ bench erupted, and the game headed into overtime with the score knotted at four.
Overtime was a showcase for Sennecke’s creativity and poise. With only 13 seconds remaining, he orchestrated a two-on-one rush, dancing past defenders before slipping the puck to Kreider for the game-winning tap-in. The arena exploded as Kreider celebrated his 20th goal of the season and the Ducks’ 11th win in their last 13 games.
“We just have that belief in ourselves that we’re never out of it, that’s the biggest thing in these comeback wins is that we never think we’re out of it, and we know we can score goals,” Sennecke said after the game, capturing the spirit of a team that has made late-game drama its trademark.
For the Jets, there were bright spots despite the heartbreak. Elias Salomonsson notched his first NHL goal in style, firing a far-side rocket from above the right circle. Alex Iafallo and Gabriel Vilardi each found the back of the net, while Cole Perfetti and Logan Stanley chipped in two assists apiece. Connor Hellebuyck’s 35 saves kept Winnipeg in the contest, but the Ducks’ relentless pressure proved too much in the end.
The Ducks’ nine multi-goal comeback wins this season are four more than any other NHL team, making them only the sixth team in league history to accomplish such a feat in 58 games or fewer, according to team PR guru Alex Gilchrist. Their resilience has become their identity, and with a playoff push heating up, Anaheim looks poised to be a team no opponent can count out—no matter the scoreline.
As the dust settles on another wild night at Honda Center, the Ducks will turn their attention to Sunday’s matchup against the Calgary Flames. With momentum on their side and belief running high, Anaheim’s faithful fans have every reason to keep dreaming big.