On March 16, 2025, the Winnipeg Jets pulled off a stunning comeback against the Seattle Kraken, winning 3-2 after overtime at Climate Pledge Arena. Dylan Samberg scored the winning goal just 1:47 minutes after the overtime period began, ensuring the Jets remained at the top of the NHL standings.
The game saw significant contributions from Cole Perfetti, who netted one goal and provided one assist, and Kyle Connor, who also scored for Winnipeg. Their efforts, along with Vladislav Namestnikov’s two assists, helped the Jets rally from being down two goals early. This victory marked Winnipeg's third consecutive win and put them back above the Washington Capitals for the Presidents' Trophy race, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.
Things took a turn for the Jets early on when goaltender Eric Comrie was injured due to a collision just 3:15 minutes after the game started. After leaving the ice to be assessed for potential concussion, Comrie returned to the game about ten minutes later, finishing with 14 saves on 15 shots. Connor Hellebuyck stepped up in the interim, playing 10:10 and stopping five out of six shots.
Seattle's Jani Nyman opened the scoring with his second power-play goal, which came at 9:58 of the first period. Nyman received the puck from Jordan Eberle and fired it past Hellebuyck’s glove. Not long after, Michael Eyssimont scored Seattle’s second goal, extending the lead to 2-0 as he maneuvered past Winnipeg’s defenders and slipped the puck through Comrie's pads at 15:23.
The Jets responded just before the first intermission when Perfetti capitalized on a rebound from Samberg’s shot, lifting it over the fallen goalie to cut the deficit to 2-1 with just 17 seconds left of the first period.
Winnipeg continued to push back and tied the game 2-2 at 11:42 of the second period. Morgan Barron set up Connor with a great backhanded pass, leading to Connor's breakaway where he scored by flicking the puck over Joey Daccord's glove.
Overtime was where the magic happened. Just under two minutes in, Perfetti orchestrated the decisive play by driving the puck from the right corner and delivering it across the crease to Samberg. The young defenseman capitalized expertly, pushing the puck past Daccord to seal the game. Samberg's impressive play highlighted the growing talent on the Jets' roster.
Both goaltenders played notable roles throughout the match, particularly Daccord, who finished with 23 saves. Although the Kraken lost the game, their performance on the transition ended their homestand with a record of 2-0-1, indicating promising play from the team.
The game carried additional sentimental weight, as Brandon Tanev, who was with the Kraken but recently traded, received applause during the first period when highlights of his time with Seattle were shown. Tanev's presence amplified the competitive spirit as both teams navigated their identity and objectives.
Winnipeg's win brought them to the forefront of the NHL standings, with Hellebuyck potentially eyeing his 40th victory when the Jets face off against Vancouver on March 18. The outcome at Climate Pledge Arena reaffirmed the competitive nature between the Jets and the Kraken, as it has been evident throughout this season, with all three matchups going to overtime or decided by one goal.
This match exhibited not only the tenacity of the teams but also the momentum shifting dynamics of professional hockey. For the Jets, the victory sets the stage for the closing weeks of the regular season, enhancing their aspirations for playoff success.
Fans and analysts alike will keep their eyes on both teams as they prepare for their upcoming games, watching closely for how this latest clash may influence their trajectories this season.