Morrissey scores OT winner in return to set Jets' points mark for defensemen in 3-2 win over Canucks

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Josh Morrissey scored 1:49 into overtime to become the highest-scoring defenseman in franchise history, lifting the Winnipeg Jets to a 3-2 victory over the NHL-worst Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.

The winning goal by Morrissey, who missed the last five games after being injured while playing for Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics, gave him 417 career points to surpass Dustin Byfuglien for the Jets record. He tied the mark with an assist on Gabriel Vilardi's tying goal.

Mark Scheifele also scored in regulation and had two assists and Connor Hellebuyck made 21 saves for the Jets, who extended their points streak to six games.

Linus Karlsson had a goal and an assist and Liam Ohgren also scored for the Canucks, who have lost 11 of 13. Kevin Lankinen stopped 32 shots for Vancouver, which beat Chicago on Friday night to end a seven-game skid that started in January.

With Winnipeg trailing 2-1 in the third period, Vilardi scored his 24th goal of the season at the 15:12 mark to tie it. Vilardi scored a goal in all three matchups against the Canucks this season, all victories for the Jets.

Winnipeg improved to 9-2-0 in its last 11 against Vancouver.

Canucks: Host Ottawa on Monday.

Jets: Host Anaheim on Tuesday.

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Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) saves the shot from Vancouver Canucks' Liam Ohgren (92) during the first period of an NHL game in Winnipeg, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Linus Karlsson (94) scores against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during first-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele (55) and Vancouver Canucks' Max Sasson (63) battle for the puck during first-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Victor Mancini (90) stops a shot by Winnipeg Jets' Alex Iafallo (9) during second period NHL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele, left, and Vancouver Canucks' Teddy Blueger face-off during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

A federal judge ruled Saturday that Kari Lake, President Donald Trump's choice to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, did not have legal authority to take the actions she's done to largely dismantle the Voice of America. The decision's effect on VOA operations was not immediately clear.

Lake called the decision by U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth “bogus” and said it will be appealed.

Voice of America, which has transmitted news coverage to countries around the world since its formation during World War II, is operating with a skeleton staff in only a handful of languages after Lake terminated contracts and laid off most of its employees.

Lake had been chosen by Trump to effectively lead the agency that oversees Voice of America and other services like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. But she has not received Senate confirmation for her role, and Lamberth said she did not have authority to act in that capacity due to laws that guard against unqualified government appointments.

“Only the Appointments Clause or the Vacancies Act's exclusive structure may authorize service as a principal officer, and Lake satisfies the requirements of neither the statute nor the Constitution,” Lamberth wrote.

Lamberth was ruling on a lawsuit filed by Patsy Widakuswara, Voice of America's White House bureau chief, and colleagues Kate Neeper and Jessica Jerreat. They were among the employees laid off by Lake and have been fighting the actions.

“We feel vindicated and deeply grateful,” the journalists said in a statement. They said the ruling against Lake “is a powerful step toward undoing the damage she has inflicted on this American institution that we love.” They said they are still trying to determine what the action effectively means for colleagues whose careers have been in limbo.

Proponents of Voice of America call it an example of the nation's “soft power” that offers unbiased news coverage to countries where governments control the flow of information. Lake has contended the government-run news outlets are wasteful and their outputs should promote the administration's views.

Reporters Without Borders said Lamberth's decision affirmed what it believed — that the administration acted unlawfully to gut the VOA. But there's still more to be done to ensure VOA's journalists can get back to work, said Clayton Weimers, executive director of the organization's North American branch.

“This case is proof that fighting for press freedom matters,” Weimers said.

Lake, in a statement posted on X, said she strongly disagreed with the decision.

“The American people gave President Trump a mandate to cut bloated bureaucracy, eliminate waste, and restore accountability to government,” she said. “An activist judge is trying to stand in the way of those efforts at USAGM. Judge Lamberth has a pattern of activist rulings — and this case is no different.”

David Bauder writes about the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.

FILE - Kari Lake speaks to supporters at a campaign event, Sept. 4, 2024, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)