Winnipeg Jets 3-4 Anaheim Ducks (OT)
The Anaheim Ducks showed incredible determination in fighting back two deficits at the Winnipeg Jets. The guests were rewarded for it, winning 4-3 in overtime. But, it was the home team who got the better start, as Mark Scheifele scored after only 33 seconds to go in front. The lead doubled with 2:43 to go in the first period through Adam Lowry.
Anaheim would end the opening period with their first goal of the game, as Leo Carlsson got one back with a minute to go in the opening frame. Midway through the second, the game was tied. Tony Terry levelled to return the game to parity. That would be the only goal of the period, making things quite interesting.
With a little less than three minutes left, Alex Iafallo put Winnipeg back in front, and surely people thought the hosts would hold on for the win. They would be proven wrong as a minute later, Radko Gudas tied things up once again. It would take three and a half minutes in overtime for Terry to grab his second of the game, which was also the winner.
The Ducks are six points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference, winning their third in a row. As for the Jets, it is their second loss in a row.
Washington Capitals 3-4 Minnesota Wild (SO)
The Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild played an entertaining clash in the nation's capital, but in the end, the latter pulled off a 4-3 win via shootout. It would take half of the first period before the opening goal was scored. Tom Wilson etched the Caps in front, but the lead would not last. A minute later, the Wild were level through Ryan Hartman. Things would get worse for the hosts, as Yakov Trenin scored a shorthanded goal at the end of the first period to put the guests up 2-1.
The Capitals got their equaliser with 4:52 left in the second, as Alex Ovechkin's power play marker tied things up again. Then, Martin Fehervary gave the hosts their second lead of the match 5:34 into the final period. The Wild would not give in though, and would level through Marco Rossi midway through the third.
Overtime settled nothing, meaning that a penalty shootout was required to decide the winner. All three of Dylan Strome, Pierre Luc Dubois, and Ovechkin failed to convert for Washington. Matthew Boldy's attempt was converted in the second round of the shootout for Minnesota, which proved to be enough for them to edge the Caps 1-0 in the shootout.
The Wild are third in the Western Conference, closing the gap on the Jets at the top. As for the Capitals, they are still leading the East by two points over the New Jersey Devils.