Panthers outlast Jets 2-1 in shootout for fourth win in last six games

Winnipeg Jets' Dylan DeMelo (2) defends against Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) during first period NHL action in Winnipeg, Thursday, January 22, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG — Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart both beat Connor Hellebuyck in a shootout to lift the Florida Panthers to a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Winnipeg shooters Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele came up empty in extra time.

Sam Bennett scored in regulation for the Panthers (26-20-3), who are 4-2-0 in their last six games.

Daniil Tarasov stopped 17 shots for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in the first game of a three-game road trip against Central Division opponents.

Cole Perfetti scored for the Jets (20-23-7), who’ve picked up points in seven of their last eight games (5-1-2), and Hellebuyck stopped 19 shots.

The Panthers outshot the Jets 6-5 in a first period that had no scoring.

The Jets had a power play, but it was cut short when they took a penalty 40 seconds into the man advantage.

The second period also featured few shots, but Bennett scored his 18th of the season with a one-timer at 18:49 on Florida’s 13th shot of the game.

Winnipeg had the only power play of the middle frame, but didn’t get a shot on goal. Shots after the second favoured Florida 13-10.

Jonathan Toews was the catalyst for Winnipeg’s tying goal. The veteran stole the puck from Uvis Balinskis in Florida’s end and sent it to Perfetti going to front of the net, who used a backhand to beat Tarasov at 5:38.

Hellebuyck made a couple smart saves in overtime and Josh Morrissey hit the crossbar.

In one-goal games this season, Florida is 14-0-3 and Winnipeg 6-11-7.

Takeaways

Jets: Have earned a point in six consecutive home games (4-0-2). The point tied their ninth-longest home point streak since relocation. The longest home point streak for the Jets since moving to Winnipeg is 11 games in late 2017. They hold a 1-5-4 record against Atlantic Division opponents this season.

Panthers: Matthew Tkachuk set up Bennett’s goal, giving him his first point of the season in his second game back from adductor muscle surgery in August. The Panthers had lost their previous three games at Canada Life Centre under former Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice, who stepped down in December 2021 and took the Florida job the following June.

Key moment

Morrissey hit the post in overtime to put a kibosh on the win.

Key stat

The Jets have lost seven in a row in extra time, five in overtime and two in a shootout. Their last win was Nov. 15 in a shootout against the Calgary Flames. Their last victory in overtime was Oct. 28 against Minnesota.

Up next

Jets: End a three-game homestand Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.

Panthers: Play the Wild in Minnesota Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2026.

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press