WINNIPEG – Rookie Patrik Laine put up two goals to help propel his Winnipeg Jets past the Dallas Stars 4-1 at MTS Centre on Thursday.
By scoring twice, the Finnish forward moves into a tie for the league lead in goals with six. Laine has also now scored four of Winnipeg’s five power play goals this season.
“I thought I could bring something to the power play (when I came here),” said Laine. “Those are important goals for these games. It seems like almost every shot is going in.” ”
When you’re hot, you’re hot. I’m just trying to create more chances and score more goals.”
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Tyler Myers opened the scoring just 15 seconds into the game as he beat Stars goalie Antti Niemi with a point shot. Joel Armia picked up an assist on Myers’ second goal of the season. Dallas had a chance to respond a few minutes later on a 1:16 long two-man advantage but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Rookie forward Kyle Connor later scored his first NHL goal to put the Jets up 2-0. The 19-year-old raced into Dallas’ zone on an odd-man rush with less than four minutes to play in the first period before burying a Nikolaj Ehlers pass. Connor plans to give the puck from the goal to his parents.
“They helped me so much to get this point,” said Connor. “I owe a lot to them. You work hard to make it to this league. That first one is a pretty special feeling.”
Winnipeg peppered Niemi with 22 shots in the opening frame, two shy of its franchise record.
The Jets added to their lead thanks to a Laine power play goal less than five minutes into the second period.
Dallas drew within two early in the third period as Tyler Seguin struck on a man advantage. The forward fooled Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck with a slapshot from near the top of the faceoff circle.
Laine added his second goal of the night mid-third by once again scoring on a power play.
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Winnipeg had a scare just a few seconds into the third period as Dustin Byfuglien fell awkwardly into the boards. The defenceman tripped while battling Antoine Roussel for the puck in the Jets’ end. Byfuglien was slow to get up and needed help getting to the dressing room. He returned a few minutes later.
With its win over the Stars, Winnipeg snaps a two-game losing skid.
“For me, the only difference between tonight and last game is that we scored,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice.
“You score in the first minute, that usually gives the (home) crowd at least a hopeful night. They were alive and we fed off that pretty well.”
The Jets play the second of back-to-back games Friday night in Colorado against the Avalanche (3-2-0).
DOWNED JETS: Winnipeg will be without Bryan Little for at least another month. The 28-year-old suffered a lower-body injury in the Jets’ home opener two weeks. Fellow forward Drew Stafford, on the other hand, is now listed as day-to-day. He left Tuesday’s loss to Dallas in the first period with an upper-body injury.
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