WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 18 (UPI) -- A goal from Dustin Byfuglien 1:23 deep in overtime Thursday gave Winnipeg a 4-3 win over Carolina that boosted the Jets' playoff hopes.
Winnipeg won its fifth in a row, its longest winning streak of the season, and improved its post-season chances on two fronts.
The Jets stayed tied with the New York Rangers for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, although New York has a game in hand against the Jets.
Winnipeg also moved within two points of Washington for the lead in the Southeast Division. The eventual winner of the Northeast could be the only team from that division to make the playoffs.
The Jets took a 3-1 lead into the game's final stages, but Tuomo Ruutu brought Carolina within one by scoring his second goal of the game with 7:38 to play and Alexander Semin tied it with 1:12 left.
Ondrej Pavelec allowed three goals on 27 shots to grab the win.
Carolina lost its second in a row and was officially eliminated from playoff contention. Justin Peters stopped 27 shots for the Hurricanes.
