Winnipeg, MB (SportsNetwork.com) - Dustin Byfuglien went coast-to-coast and scored the deciding goal with 1:00 remaining in overtime as the Winnipeg Jets pulled out a critical 2-1 victory over the surging Minnesota Wild.
The Wild came in on a six-game winning streak and were within six points of the Jets in the Western Conference playoff race, but Winnipeg earned the key extra point as Byfuglien created a turnover in the Minnesota zone, went unabated the other way and beat Devan Dubnyk up high with a wrister.
Toby Enstrom scored in regulation while Michael Hutchinson made 29 saves in the win, the Jets' second straight following a six-game slide.
"I know definitely tonight was a big win for us," Jets forward Mark Scheifele said. "We've really showed what kind of team we are."
Jason Pominville scored the lone goal for the Wild, who received a 32-save effort from Dubnyk.
The Jets controlled a scoreless first period to the tune of a 15-8 shot advantage, while the Wild had several quality chances and come up empty in the second.
Minnesota was three minutes removed from killing off its fourth penalty when Enstrom's shot from the point caromed off Nino Niederreiter's stick. Byfuglien did not get credit for an assist but provided a critical screen in front of Dubnyk.
The goal came at the 7:53 mark of the third, but the Wild tied it less than three minutes later when a loose puck between the circles was cleaned up by Pominville, who ripped a slap shot into the back of the net.
"Looking at the standings it's really important for us to get every point we can," Wild forward Zach Parise said. "When they grab that 1-0 lead for us to come back and tie up right away, that's going to be a big point."
Game Notes
The season series is tied 2-2 with all four games being decided by one goal ... Dubnyk fell to 8-1-1 since joining the Wild in a trade last month ... Before the game, the Wild announced forward Jason Zucker is expected to miss the next three months due to a broken collarbone, while forward Ryan Carter is out at least one month with an upper-body injury.
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