Wheeler scores early in OT and Jets beat Predators 5-4

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Blake Wheeler and the Winnipeg Jets just stayed positive.

Wheeler scored 51 seconds into overtime and the Jets overcame a three-goal third-period collapse to beat the Nashville Predators 5-4 on Thursday night.

Dustin Byfuglien scored twice and Bryan Little and Nikolaj Ehlers added goals for Winnipeg. Rookie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 31 shots.

Ryan Johansen cut Nashville's deficit to 4-2 with 10:59 remaining, Eric Nystrom scored less than 3 minutes later and then James Neal tied it with 13.5 seconds left.

But Winnipeg won it in the 3-on-3 overtime.

''More than anything, we just had a great feeling in our room, great feeling on our bench,'' said Wheeler, whose goal and assist Thursday ups his team-leading point total to 43. ''Even (at) 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, I think we still had a good feeling. So that was a good sign for us.''

Kevin Fiala scored in the first period and Pekka Rinne made 19 saves for the Predators.

''Obviously, being down 4-1 to come back like that on the road on a four-game losing streak is impressive,'' Johansen said. ''We could have easily thrown in the towel and not have to battle and show the resilience that we did.

Byfuglien left the game in the third period with an undisclosed injury. Paul Maurice says the defenseman will be re-evaluated tomorrow and he will travel with the team. The Jets go to Minnesota for a quick one-game trip Friday night before returning home for a six-game homestand that includes a rematch with Nashville on Jan. 21.

Entering Thursday night, Rinne was 1-8-2 with a 3.29 goals-against average in his last 11 road starts.

Following a feverish finish to regulation that included nearly 2 minutes of 3-on-3 hockey, Neal's equalizer sent Nashville and Winnipeg to more 3-on-3 in overtime.

''I liked (the game) until the tide turned there in the third period. I really liked our game,'' Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. ''The compete was good. We got down behind one, but didn't feel after the first period that they got better than we did.''

Byfuglien bookended three second-period Winnipeg goals. The Jets put an end to their three-game slide, closing the gap between the two division rivals.

Nashville has lost five straight and ended its four-game trip without a point. The Predators allowed Winnipeg within three points of their quickly loosening hold on the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference at 46 points.

''This is playoff-type hockey right now with how tight our division is,'' Neal said. ''It's a race right to the end, so we have to take confidence out of that point and go back home and get going again. That's where we're at right now. It was a good third period for our club.''

Byfuglien's 10th and 11th of the season were the first goals for the Jets' lone All-Star selection since Dec. 18.

The Predators opened the scoring just 59 seconds after puck drop. A video review placed roughly 10 seconds back on the score clock when it was determined Fiala's initial shot crossed the line before quickly bouncing off the internal crossbar and out. It was the first NHL goal for the 19-year-old Fiala, playing in his first game of the season and third of his career since being selected 11th-overall in 2014.

Moments after Mark Stuart and Paul Gaustad went off for fighting, Byfuglien found the equalizer for Winnipeg. Following a wrister from the top of the circle, Byfuglien grabbed his own rebound and beat Rinne low stick side 6:32 into the second.

The Jets and their 28th-ranked power play were given ample opportunities against the Predators, seeing five chances with the man-advantage. With Neal off for interference just 1:28 after Byfuglien's equalizer, Winnipeg's leading point-getter Wheeler walked into the slot before quickly dishing off to Little. His one-timer re-established his sole possession for the team lead in goals with his 15th.

NOTES: The Jets play at the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. ... The Predators next game is at home against the Wild on Saturday night.