The Winnipeg Jets threw everything they had at the Washington Capitals but it wasn’t enough. Martin Erat scored in the sixth round of a shootout to give the Capitals a 5-4 win. Braden Holtby stopped 43 of 47 shots and Alexander Ovechkin scored twice to close their road trip on a high note. For the Jets, they closed their homestand with an effort that had been lacking in their last two games.
After a scoreless first period, the floodgates opened in the second as both teams had a three goal outburst. Michael Grabovski opened the scoring as he backhanded a loose puck that Zach Bogosian misplayed. The Jets would respond at the 7:21 mark as Bryan Little jumped on a rebound to score shorthanded and tie the game. Just over a minute after, Grant Clitsome fired a rocket past Holtby to give the Jets a 2-1 lead.
If there’s anyone that loves playing at the MTS Centre, it’s Alexander Ovechkin. Serenaded by boos, Ovechkin scored two quick goals to put the Caps back up 3-2. His two goals gives him nine goals for the year.
With just 0:39 seconds remaining in the second period, Blake Wheeler managed to tip an Evander Kane shot to tie the game 3-3.
Troy Brouwer scored in the third period for Washington and Jets forward Bryan Little scored his second of the game to force overtime. Overtime solved nothing and it was off to a shootout.
It looked as though the Jets would walk away with a shootout win as they forced the Capitals to tie it twice as Devon Setoguchi and Olli Jokinen put the Jets ahead. Brooks Laich and Troy Brouwer would answer each time for the Caps. Evander Kane would shoot wide in the sixth round and Martin Erat would end it and give the Capitals the extra point.
Despite the loss, the Winnipeg Jets feel they played a better game and can build off of their performance.
“The game itself was encouraging, the guys played harder,” Setoguchi said after the game. “Pucks to the net, second and third opportunities, just tighten up our game a little bit and that’s maybe the difference.”
The Winnipeg Jets will head to Nashville on Thursday where they open up a four game road trip.
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