Ehlers scores in OT as Jets edge Capitals 3-2 in battle of NHL powers

Winnipeg Jets' Mason Appleton (22) scores on Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Tuesday March 25 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade

WINNIPEG — Nikolaj Ehlers scored on a breakaway 1:28 into overtime to help the Winnipeg Jets clinch a playoff spot by downing the Washington Capitals 3-2 in Tuesday’s showdown between the NHL’s top two teams.

The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals were in a line change when Ehlers grabbed the puck and fired a wrist shot past goalie Logan Thompson for his 24th goal of the season.

Washington star Alex Ovechkin had tied the game 2-2 with a one-timer that went through Connor Hellebuyck’s pads with four minutes remaining in the third period.

Ovechkin now has 889 career goals, six away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record of 894.

Josh Morrissey and Mason Appleton also scored for the Jets (49-19-4), who swept the two-game season series against Washington after taking the first game 5-4, also in overtime.

Hellebuyck made 27 saves for the Western Conference-leading Jets in front of the team’s third straight sellout and 11th of the season at Canada Life Centre.

Andrew Mangiapane also scored for the Capitals (47-15-9), extending his goal streak to three games with three goals. Thompson stopped 22 shots.

Winnipeg led 1-0 after the fast, tight-checking first period when Morrissey’s one-timer went off Capitals defenceman Martin Fehervary in front of the net and past Thompson at 6:50.

After sitting in the box for cross-checking Jets defenceman Colin Miller in the chest, Mangiapane stepped out, joined a three-on-two and sent a shot over Hellebucyk’s right shoulder with 40 seconds left in the period.

Winnipeg outshot the Capitals 8-6 in the opening frame.

Washington had the game’s first two power plays in the second period, putting a pair of shots in each one at Hellebuyck.

Appleton broke the tie with 12 seconds remaining in the second with a wrist shot over Thompson’s glove. His ninth goal of the season came 11 seconds after Winnipeg’s first man advantage expired.

The Capitals outshot Winnipeg 12-7 in the middle period.

The Jets had their second power play early in the third, but only got one shot on goal.

TAKEAWAYS

Jets: Winnipeg marked its third consecutive season making the playoffs and seventh time in the past eight years. The Jets had to adjust to playing without injured forward Gabriel Vilardi (upper-body injury), who was replaced by Alex Iafallo. The juggling moved Adam Lowry up to the second line to centre Ehlers and Appleton.

Capitals: Washington is now 9-1-1 in its last 11 games. The Capitals went into the game defeating 28 of the league’s other 31 teams this season ­— except Winnipeg, Minnesota (who they play Thursday) and Chicago (who visit Washington on April 4).

KEY MOMENT

Ovechkin’s 36th goal of the season tied the game 2-2 with four minutes left in the third period. It came a minute after Hellebuyck denied Tom Wilson on a one-timer.

KEY STAT

Winnipeg is 37-0-1 when leading after two periods.

UP NEXT

Capitals: Visit the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.

Jets: Host the New Jersey Devils on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 25, 2025.

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press