The Winnipeg Jets four-game losing skid came to an end Thursday night at MTS Centre.

Mathieu Perreault scored in the sixth round of the shootout as Winnipeg defeated the Florida Panthers 4-3.

"Just kind of gutted it out...it wasn't pretty," said Jets captain Blake Wheeler. "I think after not playing for a few days, we were expecting it to be a little bit ugly, a little bit sloppy. It definitely was through two periods. We found a way to gut it out into overtime, and luckily got the two points."

Dustin Byfuglien, Adam Lowry and Bryan Little scored in regulation for the Jets who received a 41-save performance from Connor Hellebuyck.

Aleksander Barkov, Reilly Smith and Vincent Trocheck replied for the Panthers who did all their goal scoring in the middle period.

Winnipeg (14-16-3) will host the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.

The Jets will then play a pair of games in Vancouver against the Canucks on Tuesday and Thursday before starting the Christmas break.


photos courtesy Ray Peters