The Winnipeg Jets had never hosted a Game 7 playoff game until Sunday night’s winner-take-all contest against the St. Louis Blues.
It’s safe to say their fans got the full Stanley Cup playoff experience in the span of about one hour.
In what has been dubbed the “Manitoba Miracle,” the Jets earned a 4-3 double-overtime win in Game 7, thanks to captain Adam Lowry’s goal with 3 minutes, 50 seconds left in the second overtime.
“It’s incredibly special,” Lowry said. “I probably dreamt it was a little nicer than just going off my leg, but it’s one of those things, on the outdoor rink, in the driveway, you dream about being the hero in a Game 7 and giving yourself a chance to continue chasing a Stanley Cup.”
Usually, a double-overtime winner in Game 7 would be the story, but Lowry’s goal alone doesn’t come close to explaining Sunday night’s craziness. The Jets — who earned the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy for the most points in the regular season — found themselves down 2-0 to the eighth-seeded Blues in the first period. With under two minutes to go in regulation, they still trailed 3-1.
But with 1:56 left, Vlad Namestnikov got Winnipeg to within 3-2 with a wrister that went off the skate of the Blues defenseman Ryan Suter and past goalie Jordan Binnington.
With their home crowd energized and an extra skater on the ice, the Jets desperately pressed the issue until Cole Perfetti tipped in Kyle Conner’s shot to tie it with 2.2 seconds remaining.
“It was incredible,”
Perfetti said. “No quit. Guys were exhausted but fought until the last second and we got it done. Even down 3-1, there was no doubt.
“We had belief in one another and belief that we were going to come back. I’m just so proud of this group and so proud to be a part of it.”
Perfetti’s goal was the latest game-tying goal in Game 7 history, and the second-latest in Stanley Cup playoff history.
The Jets now advance to face the Dallas Stars. Game 1 is set for Wednesday night in Winnipeg.
BELIEVE. pic.twitter.com/3HJ6NV3cAM
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 5, 2025
In previous playoff games in which they trailed by multiple goals, the Jets had gone 2-25. But now they are on to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
“We obviously didn’t get the start that we wanted today,” Jets forward Nik Ehlers told ESPN. “ … But there was belief in this group. Nobody was hanging their heads. We looked at each other and said we’re not done playing hockey yet. It was special.”
