The Winnipeg Jets took care of business in overtime against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
The Winnipeg Jets improved to a league-best 30-10-4 on the year with a 2-1 overtime victory over Ottawa on Saturday afternoon.
Nikolaj Ehlers scored the game-winner with just 45 seconds left in the extra frame, while Mason Appleton got his second goal in as many games for the Jets, which jump back into first-place, league-wide with their 2-1 win over Ottawa.
"He’s a special player, makes special plays like that," Jets defenceman Brenden Dillon - who fought on Saturday - said of Ehlers postgame. "Turning nothing, really, a simple one on one into an unbelievable, highlight-reel game winner. Fly was fantastic.”
The Jets improved their streak of games allowing three or fewer goals to 34, while they jointly extended their streak of games allowing two or fewer goals to 14.
Connor Hellebuyck made 34 stops, allowing just one goal for his 22nd win of the year, and moved up into second-place in goals against average leaders, trailing just Vegas' Adin Hill.
Appleton got things going for Winnipeg, as he finished off a three-on-one passing play on a rush up-ice in the second period, scoring his eighth of the year, and second in two games after going 25-straight without a marker.
Parker Kelly tied things up for the hosts just five minutes into the third period, bringing his team back into the game, and sending things to overtime.
Outshot 34-25 through 60 minutes, Winnipeg responded by putting up four shots to Ottawa's one in the five-minute three-on-three.
“I was just trying to create some speed going out of the zone again," Ehlers said. "I thought (Chychrun) was a little bit flat footed and I decided to just try something that I don’t really do a lot.”
Ehlers eventually potted the winner on a sensational individual effort as he walked the Senators' defenders before ripping a backhander through Joonas Korpisalo near the end of the added frame.
"The backhands are usually hard for goalies," he added. "Sometimes we don't know where they're going. So the goalie doesn't know either. Whereas on the forehand, you usually pick a spot and usually hit it pretty well. I was going far side. I was hoping I was putting it exactly where I put it. I'm glad I was able to."
Winnipeg will look to keep the good times rolling as the team next hits the ice at TD Garden in Boston on Monday night. The hope is that Mark Scheifele will be able to skate in advance of the game and work his way back into the lineup following a lower-body injury suffered against Chicago last week.