The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in triple overtime of Game 4 on Monday night to complete the sweep and advance to Round 2.
Kyle Connor was the hero for the Jets, beating Mike Smith with a sharp wrist shot shortly after the Oilers killed a penalty in the third extra frame. The win was the Jets' third straight in overtime and represents the team's first playoff series victory since 2018.
Mark Scheifele got his first goal of the series to open up the scoring in the first frame before Connor McDavid quickly answered with a slick wraparound finish for the Oilers. Mason Appleton would ensure the Jets took a lead to the locker room with a go-ahead marker with just over four minutes left in the opening stanza.
The second period was a different story, as both Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Alex Chiasson found the net to give the Oilers the 3-2 lead. Edmonton clearly showed a renewed sense of urgency, outshooting the Jets 12-5 in the frame and creating numerous chances. If not for the heroics of Connor Hellebuyck, the scoreline could have been significantly worse for Winnipeg after 40 minutes. The veteran goalie was once again a star for the home team, stopping 37 of 40 shots in the contest.
Scheifele once again made his presence felt in the third, wiring home a wicked one-timer at the 6:06 mark to even the contest. The Jets had some quality chances down the stretch, but Smith was solid in the visiting net, eventually finishing with 39 saves on 43 shots.
After two back-and-forth overtime periods yielded a number of chances, Connor took advantage of a poor Oilers line change to find some space and beat Smith for the winner in the third extra session.
Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse finished the game with 62:07 minutes of ice time - the third-highest total in the playoffs since the stat started being tracked in 1998.
Winnipeg will now get some rest and play the eventual winner of the other North Division series between Montreal and Toronto, which the Leafs lead 2-1.
