ANAHEIM, Calif. — In an exciting finish, Troy Terry netted a goal with just 24 seconds remaining, propelling the Anaheim Ducks to a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the Winnipeg Jets, currently the top team in the NHL, on Wednesday evening.

Frank Vatrano added his second goal of the night with 4:46 left in the game, aiding the Ducks in securing back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-November. This also marked Anaheim’s first regulation victory in three weeks, showcasing their renewed competitiveness.

Goaltender Lukas Dostal was impressive in net for the Ducks, stopping 21 shots throughout the matchup.

The Jets saw goals from Gabriel Vilardi and Mark Scheifele but faced disappointment as Eric Comrie, their backup goalie, made 28 saves yet remained winless in his last six starts dating back to early November.

Vatrano’s game-tying goal was a result of great luck, as his shot deflected off the skate of Vladislav Namestnikov before finding its way past Comrie.

In an interesting twist, defenseman Jacob Trouba made his home debut with the Ducks, having been acquired from the Rangers just 12 days prior. This game also marked Anaheim’s first home match since parting ways with veteran defenseman Cam Fowler, a player with 15 years of experience, who was traded to St. Louis.

Noteworthy observations from the match included the Jets’ struggle to start strong again; despite their status as the NHL’s best team, they failed to maintain their lead late in the game after previously staging a comeback in San Jose. On the other hand, the Ducks managed to turn the tide in the later stages of the game, much to the delight of their fans, despite having a significant shot advantage that went underutilized in the early periods.

A crucial moment arose as Vatrano assisted on the game-winning goal, disrupting a pass between Winnipeg defensemen Haydn Fleury and Neil Pionk deep in their zone. This allowed Terry to seize the opportunity and score his ninth goal right in front of the net.

Statistically, the Jets struggled to get their offense going, failing to register a shot on goal until nearly 11 minutes into the first period, and it wasn’t until almost 10 minutes had ticked away in the second period that they managed their first shot of that frame.

Looking ahead, the Winnipeg Jets will face off against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night while the Anaheim Ducks will take on the Colorado Avalanche at home on Friday night.