Jets Fall in OT to Stars, Wrap Road Trip with Grit and a Gut-Punch
The Winnipeg Jets battled to the final whistle in Dallas but came up just short, falling 4-3 in overtime to the Stars at American Airlines Center. It was a game that saw Winnipeg claw back from an early deficit, take a lead, and force OT with a late equalizer - only to watch the extra point slip away in the final moments. The result closes out their four-game road swing at 2-1-1, a respectable stretch, but one that could’ve ended on a higher note.
Second-Period Surge Shows Jets’ Fight
After surrendering the opening goal, the Jets didn’t flinch. They responded with one of their best stretches of the night in the second period, fueled by strong puck movement and a little grit around the net. The tying goal came off a 2-on-1 rush - Josh Morrissey feeding Cole Perfetti, whose initial shot was stopped, but Gabe Vilardi was right there to bury the rebound for his 21st of the season.
Less than two minutes later, Winnipeg cashed in on their third power play of the game. With Mikko Rantanen in the box for tripping Gustav Nyquist, the Jets wasted no time. Just 27 seconds into the man advantage, Perfetti lit the lamp again - his second goal in as many games - putting Winnipeg ahead 2-1.
“He's playing with confidence, and that’s the Cole you know,” said interim head coach Scott Arniel. “He’s going to the hard areas, he’s competing, and when he does that, good things happen.”
Perfetti’s performance was part of a solid night for Winnipeg’s top playmakers. He and Vilardi each finished with a goal and an assist, while Mark Scheifele chipped in two helpers of his own.
Stanley Steps Up Late
Trailing 3-2 late in the third, the Jets pulled Connor Hellebuyck for the extra attacker and went all-in for the equalizer. Kyle Connor nearly tied it when his shot rang off the crossbar, but the pressure didn’t stop there. Eventually, Scheifele found Logan Stanley with space, and the big defenseman ripped one past Jake Oettinger to even the score with 1:43 left on the clock.
“Obviously it comes with them trusting me to be out there and make a play,” said Stanley. “I’m glad I was able to help tonight.”
It was Stanley’s ninth of the season, and it gave the Jets a shot at the full two points in overtime.
Overtime Heartbreaker
In the extra frame, Scheifele had a golden chance to end it on a breakaway, but Oettinger stood tall once again. Moments later, Dallas turned the play the other way, and Thomas Harley netted the game-winner just over two minutes into OT.
The Jets still walked away with a point - not nothing, but not quite enough for a team in the thick of a playoff push.
“I liked how we stayed in it,” said captain Adam Lowry. “Obviously, two [points] is super critical for us at this point, but to get one late, at least salvage a point - it’s a small positive.”
Rantanen Continues to Haunt Winnipeg
Mikko Rantanen has been a thorn in Winnipeg’s side for years, and his move to Dallas hasn’t changed that. The Finnish forward added to his season dominance over the Jets with another multi-point night, including a dazzling solo effort in the third.
With the game tied, Rantanen took the puck at the blue line, danced past Luke Schenn, and slipped it around Hellebuyck for a highlight-reel goal. That gives him eight points in three games against Winnipeg this season.
What’s Next
The Jets now head home to face the Montreal Canadiens in their final game before the Olympic break. At 22-25-8, every point matters - and while the OT loss stings, the fight they showed in Dallas will need to carry over if they’re going to stay in the hunt.