It was over even before the puck dropped to start the third period. With the Winnipeg Jets leading 2-1 against the Montreal Canadiens going into the final frame, their playoff fate was sealed by the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers – both winning their games in overtime.
The Jets started the game off on the right foot in the must win game. James Wright scored the opener at the top of the faceoff circle from a pass from Chris Thorburn.
Both teams would exchange goals in the second period and the Jets were in good position to keep their playoff hopes alive. Rene Bourque scored for the Canadiens and Blake Wheeler answered for the Jets as both teams would head to the dressing room.
Unfortunately for Winnipeg, during the second intermission the New York Rangers got an overtime goal from Ryan Callahan and the Ottawa Senators Sergei Gonchar scored the game winner to book their tickets to the playoffs.
Whether or not the players knew they had been eliminated out of the playoff contention, the Jets seemed deflated in the third period. David Desharnais scored two goals and Carey Price stopped 23 shots to give the Canadiens a 4-2 win. Rene Bourque and Brendan Gallagher also scored for Montreal.
The Winnipeg Jets finished their second with a record of 24-21-3 and will switch to the Western Conference next year.
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