The Winnipeg Jets were able to get off to a much better start on Saturday Night in Calgary than they were in their season opening 7-2 loss at home to Toronto three days earlier. But the end result was the same as the Jets allowed five unanswered goals in a 6-3 loss to the Flames.
Brandon Tanev’s shorthanded goal just 8 1/2 minutes into the game helped Winnipeg jump out to a 1-0 lead. And after TJ Brodie’s powerplay goal tied it up on the same penalty, the Jets responded quickly with a goal of their own while enjoying the man advantage to regain the lead.
Mark Scheifele finished off some quick puck movement in the Calgary zone with a one timer from the slot for his second goal of the season. And then Patrik Laine scored his first by snapping in a rebound off the cross bar from in tight to put Winnipeg out in front 3-1 going into the first intermission.
The Flames, who were looking to bounce back from a 3-0 loss in Edmonton in their season opener, took control in the middle frame as Brodie and Michael Ferland scored four minutes apart midway through the period to tie it 3-3. Then Johnny Gaudreau and Kris Versteeg added goals just 96 seconds apart with time winding down in the second to send Calgary on their way.
Mikael Backlund made it 6-3 on the opening shift of the third period to remove any thought of a Winnipeg comeback.
The Flames outshot the Jets 45-28, including by a 17-5 margin over the final 20 minutes. Steve Mason went the distance and now has a 6.53 GAA and .831 saves percentage in his first two games for Winnipeg.
The Jets continue their season opening road trip Monday Night in Edmonton and also play in Vancouver on Thursday before returning home to host Carolina next Saturday.