For the second time in the last three years the Winnipeg Jets opened the season with back to back victories. The Jets spoiled the New Jersey Devils home opener, defeating the home town team 3-1 for the Jets second straight road win.
Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler each notched one goal and one assist while Mathieu Perreault chipped in with two assists. In making his first start of the season in net, goalie Michael Hutchinson was on his game and stopped 20 of 21 shots in the win.
The two sides played a scoreless first period with the Jets outshooting the Devils 12-4 in the opening period. But the shots were one-sided due in large part to the two Jets powerplays that failed to click each time.
Mark Scheifele opened the scoring for the Jets for the second night in a row. Scheifele sent a laser beam off the cross bar and in behind Cory Schneider to give the Jets the first lead.
If immitation is the sincerest form of flattery then Wheeler must have like what he saw. Only minutes later Wheeler also raced in, and also tucked it under the bar to put the Jets ahead by two. The goal was originally waved off by the officials but was confirmed on replay. Ladd and Tyler Myers had the assists.
The Devils finally got the puck behind Hutchinson midway through the second stanza. Jacob Trouba swatted a loose puck into his own net. Former Jet Jiri Tlusty was credited with the powerplay goal and it was 2-1.
In the latter stages of the period Perreault spotted Ladd at the faceoff dot and the Jets captain sniped his first goal of the season on the powerplay. Wheeler had the second assist and it was 3-1 Jets through two complete. The shots were 11-7 in favour of Winnipeg in the second.
It was mostly an uneventful third period with the best chance going to Jets rookie Nikolaj Ehlers who was denied on a breakaway. Ehlers recorded his first career NHL point earlier in the game, assisting on Scheifele’s second period goal. Ehlers also led the Jets with five shots.
The Jets were one for four with the man advantage. Only three Jets players failed to record a point in the first two games with Bryan Little, Toby Enstrom and Jacob Trouba the only Jets players that haven’t found the scoresheet.
The Jets dressed the same lineup as their first game with Adam Pardy, Paul Postma and Anthony Peluso all scratched.
The Jets get the weekened off in New York as the 4 game season opening road trip continues Monday night against the Islanders.
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