Jets Zip By Panthers

    The Florida Panthers returned back home on Friday night and began a three-game homestand and were defeated by the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 in overtime at BB&T Center. Right wing Kris Versteeg returned to the Panthers lineup for the first time since February 12 against the Washington Capitals after he missed the last 12 games. Florida has lost five of their last six and 12 of their last 15 games.
    Winnipeg(12-11-1) did not waste any time as they scored 2:35 into the first period. Left wing Andrew Ladd came in on a 2-on-1 and fired a shot from the left circle that went by Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom.
    The Jets extended their lead to 2-0 lead with 2:12 left in the period. Right wing Blake Wheeler brought the puck into the Panthers zone, skated into the right circle as defenders faded away and blasted a slapshot over Markstom's glove.
    Florida(7-12-6) closed the margin with 12.7 seconds remaining in the first period. Right wing Peter Mueller passed the puck from behind the net to the low slot, center Drew Shore took the initial shot and then Jonathan Huberdeau batted it by Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec as it barely got by the goal line. It was Huberdeau's team-leading 12th goal of the season as he has scored in three of his last four games.
    There was no scoring by either team in the second period as the Cats had to wait until the third period to tie the game. Jets defenseman Grant Clitsome was stripped of the puck at the top of his own zone by Panthers left wing Tomas Kopecky. He took it into the right circle, sent a cross-ice pass to center Shawn Matthias in the low left circle and he ripped a snapshot by Pavelec at 5:50. It was the sixth goal this season for Matthias and extended his point streak to three games.
    Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien turned overtime in a one-man performance and scored the winning goal with 40.5 seconds in the extra session. He had the puck on the end wall, skated by the left corner toward the left wing wall, pivoted to the middle and shot it from the high slot.
    Markstrom made 25 shots and dropped to 1-3-1 while Pavelec stopped 38 of 40 shots for the victory and goes to 9-11-1. Both teams were held scoreless on the power play as the Cats were 0-for-4 and the Jets were 0-for-1. Florida held Winnipeg to no opportunities on the power play when they previously met on Tuesday night in Sunrise. The Panthers, who are now 1-6 in games that go beyond regulation, will host the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday.