Michael Amadio netted the game-winner at 3:40 of the second overtime to lift the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, giving them a 2-1 lead in the first-round series.
Dylan Samberg’s clearing attempt for Winnipeg ricocheted off Vegas forward Ivan Barbashev’s skate, setting up Amadio for a one-timer that soared into the top right corner, threading between goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s head and glove.
“It is something that I will remember forever for sure,” said Amadio, who scored his first playoff goal in just his fourth career postseason game. “I kind of didn’t even see it go in. I just put it on the net, and then I heard all the guys on the ice start screaming, and that was when I knew.”
Jets coach Rick Bowness spoke with Samberg after the game.
“You get in those situations, and the puck takes a bounce off a skate or a stick, and it goes to them. That’s usually how overtime games are ended,” Bowness said. “I talked to him right away. He’s a big part of why we’re here. We’ll keep playing him.”
Adam Lowry tied the game for Winnipeg with 21.9 seconds left in regulation, scoring off a rebound to cap a three-goal, third-period comeback.
“Give them credit, they had a good push in the third,” Vegas forward Jack Eichel said. “But coming in after the third before the first overtime, we had a lot of confidence in the room.” Nino Niederreiter scored at 2:04 of the third, and Mark Scheifele connected on a power play with 5:52 left to cut it to 4-3.
Eichel scored two power-play goals and added an assist. Chandler Stephenson scored a goal and an assist, and Keegan Kolesar scored. Laurent Brossoit, who spent three seasons with the Jets, made 30 saves.
Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist for Winnipeg, while Hellebuyck stopped 43 shots.
A sold-out crowd 15,325 at Canada Life Centre continued the “whiteout” playoff tradition of wearing white and waving white towels. Game 4 of the Western Conference series is Monday night in Winnipeg.
Winnipeg All-Star defenseman Josh Morrissey left the game four minutes into the first period with a lower-body injury. Morrissey collided knee-on-knee with Vegas defenseman Zach Whitecloud and appeared to be favoring his right knee.
Bowness confirmed Morrissey will miss the remainder of the series.
“He’s got a lower body (injury), and he’s done for the series,” Bowness said. “Now, when we get into next week, I’ll be able to give you a better answer. I just know he’s done for the series.”
