Jets rally to top Rangers in shootout

NEW YORK --The Winnipeg Jets rallied from three goals down in the third period for a 4-3 shootout win against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Mark Scheifele, Jack Roslovic and Bryan Little scored, and Connor Hellebuyck made 16 saves for the Jets (16-8-2), who have won three straight. It was the sixth time in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history that they won a game when trailing by at least three goals entering the third period.
"We know we have a lot of skill," Scheifele said. "We know we can put three goals in in a game or in a period, so we just have to stick with it."
WATCH: [All Jets vs. Rangers highlights]
Patrik Laine and Scheifele scored in the shootout for Winnipeg.
"It wasn't the start we wanted, but a great third," Scheifele said. "We had our chances and we capitalized on them, so we are happy with that."

Jesper Fast, Marc Staal and Chris Kreider scored for the Rangers (13-12-3) who have lost three straight and five of their past six (1-5-0). Henrik Lundqvist made 39 saves.
"I felt like they owned us," Lundqvist said. "We tried to survive for two periods and then finally they got a goal and they just kept coming. ... We tried our best, we got a point, but they are good."
Scheifele scored on a one-timer five-hole on the power play to make it 3-1 at 2:10 of the third period.
"We had a lot of grade-A chances, ones that we normally bury, and they have a pretty good guy in between the pipes, so if it was going to be one of those nights where [Lundqvist] stole a game, it would be frustrating," Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. "But our mindset going into the third was just try to throw everything at him, see if we could squeak one by him and get a little momentum."
Roslovic cut it to 3-2 at 4:36 on a shot from the point, and Little tied it 3-3 at 17:30 on a rebound in the right circle.

"They are one heck of a hockey team," Rangers coach David Quinn said. "Probably the best team we've seen all year."
Fast gave New York a 1-0 lead at 17:32 of the first period. Mika Zibanejad started the rush just after exiting the penalty box, and set up Fast with a give-and-go.
Staal scored to make it 2-0 at 12:11 of the second period, beating Hellebuyck blocker side from the right circle.
Kreider extended the lead to 3-0 at 18:54, redirecting a point shot from Zibanejad.
"We felt good going into the third," Staal said. "We were giving them one too many chances on the power play and we can't do that. ... They kept on coming and coming and were able to capitalize on a couple of opportunities. They are a team with guys that can score goals."
Said Wheeler, "We've given a few games away so it's nice to flip the script a little bit and steal one when we are coming from behind."

Winnipeg outshot New York 18-8 in the third period and overtime.
"Those games are tough," Hellebuyck said. "But I am pretty happy with the way it went because we got the 'W.' ... I'm happy for the guys in here. We deserve it, we earned it and we worked hard tonight."

They said it

"You have to tip your hat and say that was a special night. If you're a Rangers season ticket holder, you kind of are used to it I guess, but that was a special night." -- Jets coach Paul Maurice on Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist
"It's not enough for a win so it doesn't feel good at all." -- Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist on his performance
"We probably lost one point instead of gaining one point. ... We were giving them too much time and space ... eventually they got their chances and they scored." -- Rangers center Mika Zibanejad

Need to know

Winnipeg last won a game when trailing by at least three goals entering the third period on Oct. 19, 2016 (trailed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 and won 5-4 in overtime). ... The Jets have scored at least one power-play goal in 20 of 26 games this season. ... Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei was scratched. "It's not a punishment, it's more about just take a deep breath and let's get back at it," Quinn said. … Wheeler had an assist on Scheifele's goal to become the first U.S.-born player in NHL history to have 30 assists in 26 team games or fewer.

What's next

Jets: At the New York Islanders on Tuesday (Barclays Center; 7 p.m. ET; MSG+, TSN3, NHL.TV)
Rangers:At the Florida Panthers on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; FS-F, MSG 2, NHL.TV)