Mark Scheifele scored at 1:11 of overtime to give the Winnipeg Jets a 2-1 win against the visiting Anaheim Ducks in the regular-season finale for both teams on Wednesday.
Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey broke up a two-on-one by the Ducks, and the Jets scored on the other end when Scheifele hit the net with a one-timer from the right circle.
Neal Pionk also scored and Connor Hellebuyck made 30 saves for the Jets (56-22-4, 116 points), who had already clinched the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the NHL this season.
Hellebuyck increased his league-leading win total to 48. He began the night second in the league in goals-against average (2.02) and save percentage (.924).
Winnipeg will open the Stanley Cup playoffs against the St. Louis Blues.
Troy Terry scored and Ville Husso made 42 saves for the Ducks (35-37-10, 80 points), who lost four in a row to end the season (0-2-2).
The Jets took a 1-0 lead at 13:49 of the second period.
Winnipeg center Vladislav Namestnikov won a faceoff against Tim Washe, who was playing in his second NHL game since helping Western Michigan win the NCAA title on Saturday.
The puck went back to Pionk at the left point, and he brought the puck toward the middle before firing a slap shot into the top left corner for his 10th goal of the season.
The Ducks spoiled Hellebuyck’s chance at his ninth shutout of the season when Terry tied it 1-1 at 5:45 of the third period.
Frank Vatrano took a slap shot that Hellebuyck was unable to glove. The puck fell to the side of Hellebuyck, where Terry was in position to shoot it into the net. Anaheim’s Ian Moore, playing in his third NHL game, tipped the puck before it went off Hellebuyck’s glove, giving him an assist for his first NHL point.
Terry beat the Jets 4-3 with an overtime goal on Jan. 2.
Husso made 19 saves in the scoreless first period.
–Field Level Media
