It's hard to imagine the season starting any better for the Winnipeg Jets.
Facing the defending Western Conference champions in their home building, the Jets defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-0 thanks to their depth, special teams and the reigning Vezina Trophy winner in goal.
The Jets scored twice in the first period and scored three more in the second and never looked back. Winnipeg had goals from six different players and 12 players scored at least one point.
“I thought we were really solid as a team there,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said. “We just came out and a line came out and did what they needed to do. The next line came out and did the same thing, and a lot of good things. And obviously winning the way we did is important against that team.
“It’s a win on the road in a tough barn and we’ll take that and move forward.”
It was the second time in the last three seasons that the Jets won in the season opener.
Connor Hellebuyck was in good form despite missing the last two days of training for personal reasons to deal with family matters. He stopped all 30 shots he faced in his 38th career loss and was a little emotional afterward.
“It’s been a really crazy week,” Hellebuyck said. “It's been difficult for the whole family, but the boys have played really well for me and been really supportive this whole time, so I really cherish these moments. And I cherish my time with family. So I hope they are doing well.”
Mason Appleton had a three-point night with a goal and two assists. Kyle Connor set an NHL record by scoring in his seventh straight season opener.
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“It’s remarkable for him to have seven games in a row,” captain Adam Lowry said. “I can’t even imagine that, to be honest.”
Winnipeg scored twice on its three power play chances.
The Jets didn't beat the Oilers in regulation last season.
“Going into Edmonton, we know the lineup they have there,” Lowry said. “They are a great team and getting the first win of the season is a good feeling and we will try to build on that on Friday night.”
Haydn Fleury had to temporarily leave the game in the second half after shooting into the air, but returned at the start of the third.
Winnipeg had the first chance to score just over a minute later when Mark Scheifele found himself on a breakaway but was deflected in by Stuart Skinner.
The score remained scoreless until 14:56 into the first, when Lowry capitalized on a rebound from a difficult angle off Skinner's mat to open the scoring.
Lowry's line doubled the lead with 1:25 left. A great pass from Neal Pionk to Nino Niederreiter put the puck in the Edmonton end, then Niederreiter found an Appleton who got a shot under Skinner's glove to make it 2-0.
Edmonton almost got on the board before the period ended, but Zach Hyman hit the post.
Early in the second, the Jets opened the game thanks to two goals from unlikely sources.
After a long change in the Edmonton end, Josh Morrissey sent a great backfield pass to Rasmus Kupari, who connected with Skinner to make it 3-0 at 4:17. It was his first goal as a Winnipeg Jet and his first in the NHL since January 3, 2023 as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. It was also just his 10th career goal in his 159th NHL game.
Just 20 seconds later, Dylan Samberg made it 4-0 by finishing off a Jets run in transition, taking a pass from Appleton and burying it into the top shelf. Samberg scored just one goal in 78 games last season and just three in his 156-game NHL career heading into the evening.
Winnipeg continued to pile up when they had their first power play chance of the night. Connor hit Skinner just 29 seconds into the man advantage to make it 5-0.
Skinner was replaced by Calvin Pickard during the second media break of the period, his night ending after allowing five goals on 13 shots.
While the offense racked up stats, Hellebuyck remained sharp in goal, stopping all 25 shots he faced in the first 40 minutes.
Scheifele joined in on the fun with just under six minutes left in the game, deflecting a sharp pass from Nikolaj Ehlers to get past Pickard on the power play to make it 6-0.
The only thing left to determine at that point was whether Hellebuyck would get the shutout and he did, stopping all seven shots he faced in the third.
The Jets will now return home to play their home opener on Friday night against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks. Puck drop takes place just after 7pm, with pre-game coverage starting at 5pm on Power 97.
