Jets end 4-game losing streak, defeat Sabres in OT

BUFFALO -- Adam Lowry scored with 1:01 left in overtime to give the Winnipeg Jets a 3-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Thursday.

Josh Morrissey knocked a rebound through the top of the crease toward Lowry, who picked it up and scored near the right post after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped his initial chance off the rush from the left circle.

“Just trying to get up in the rush,” Lowry said. “[Morrissey] is so good at jumping up. When he’s got speed, I just try to join him. I end up with the puck. The first one was a bit of a scramble, but all of a sudden it comes back to me. [Morrissey] made a heck of a play to get it over to me. It’s nice to see that go in the back of the net.”

Gabriel Vilardi had a goal and an assist, Morrissey and Mark Scheifele each had two assists, and Connor Hellebuyck made 28 saves for the Jets (19-8-0), who ended a four-game losing streak.

“It's huge,” Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said. “We've been on the wrong side the prior four games, and I just liked the way we battled. Lots of specialty teams, but at the end of the day, we got into that third period, and like the prior games where we were tied, we gave up the lead in those games, and tonight I just liked the way we hung in. Took a little longer than 60 (minutes), but it was a real good effort.”

Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens scored for the Sabres (11-12-3), who have lost five straight (0-3-2). Luukkonen made 28 saves.

“I think we played a good game tonight,” Luukkonen said. “That’s why it kind of stings so much. Defensively, we were really solid tonight. We didn’t give them much. We created enough chances to win the game, and I feel like we didn’t get what we wanted, but it was a good turnaround from last game (a 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in which they led 4-0).”

Thompson gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 3:27 of the first period. He took a pass from Jason Zucker in the right circle and scored with a wrist shot that went in off the far post.

Vilardi tied it 1-1 at 4:14, redirecting Haydn Fleury’s point shot past Luukkonen's glove. The Sabres challenged the play for goaltender interference, but the call stood after a video review.

Cozens put Buffalo back in front 2-1 at 11:29, tapping a return pass from Zach Benson under Hellebuyck's left pad on a 3-on-2 rush.

Kyle Connor tied it 2-2 during a 5-on-3 power play at 3:06 of the second period. He scored with a one-timer from the right circle that hit Luukkonen’s stick and slid under his pads.

“The way we battled back and the way we stuck with it, I know we were down 2-1 after the first, but I thought our response after a real lackluster St. Louis game (a 4-1 loss on Tuesday) was pretty good,” Lowry said. “For the most part, we got some more pucks to the net, we got bodies to the net, evident on the first goal, and then the power play scores a big goal to get us back in the game. ... It’s been tough sledding the last week or so trying to pick up wins, so it’s nice to find a way to win. Hopefully we can keep that good feeling going into Chicago (on Saturday) now.”

Tyson Kozak appeared to score in his NHL debut for the Sabres at 17:36 of the second, but the Jets challenged for goaltender interference, and the call was reversed after a video review determined Beck Malenstyn impaired Hellebuyck’s ability to play his position.

“Playing in my first game, it’s really cool and I’m super grateful,” Kozak said. “And to think I had scored in my first game is an unreal moment.”

NOTES: Sabres coach Lindy Ruff coached in his 1,800th NHL game, becoming the fourth coach in League history to reach the mark. ... Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin did not play because of back spasms. ... Winnipeg is 4-0 in overtime games. ... Thompson has 15 points (10 goals, five assists) in his past 12 home games. ... Kozak went 5-for-8 on face-offs in 8:26 of ice time.