Michael Amadio scored at 3:40 of the second overtime to give the Vegas Golden Knights a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Amadio’s game-winning goal came after a clearing attempt by Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg deflected off the skate of Vegas forward Ivan Barbashev. The puck landed perfectly for Amadio, who fired a one-timer into the top right corner, slipping the puck between goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s head and glove.
“It’s something I’ll remember forever,” said Amadio, who scored his first-ever playoff goal in his fourth postseason game. “I didn’t even see it go in at first. I just put it on the net, and then I heard the guys cheering, and that’s when I knew.”
Jets coach Rick Bowness spoke to Samberg after the game, understanding the tough break. “In situations like that, the puck takes a weird bounce and finds them. That’s how overtime games usually end,” Bowness said. “I talked to him right away. He’s a key player, and we’ll keep relying on him.”
Adam Lowry forced overtime for Winnipeg by tying the game with just 21.9 seconds left in regulation, scoring off a rebound to complete a three-goal third-period comeback.
“Credit to them, they made a big push in the third,” said Vegas forward Jack Eichel. “But we were confident heading into overtime.”
Nino Niederreiter scored early in the third period, and Mark Scheifele added a power-play goal with 5:52 remaining to pull the Jets within one, setting up Lowry’s dramatic tying goal.
Eichel led the Golden Knights with two power-play goals and an assist. Chandler Stephenson contributed a goal and an assist, while Keegan Kolesar scored. Vegas goalie Laurent Brossoit, who spent three seasons with Winnipeg, made 30 saves.
Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist for the Jets, while Hellebuyck stopped 43 shots.
The sold-out crowd of 15,325 at Canada Life Centre kept up Winnipeg’s “whiteout” playoff tradition, wearing white and waving white towels. Game 4 of the series is set for Monday night in Winnipeg.
In a major blow to the Jets, All-Star defenseman Josh Morrissey left the game just four minutes into the first period with a lower-body injury. Morrissey collided knee-on-knee with Vegas defenseman Zach Whitecloud and appeared to favor his right knee as he left the ice.
Bowness confirmed that Morrissey will miss the remainder of the series. “He’s done for the series,” Bowness said. “We’ll know more next week, but for now, he’s out.”