Shorthanded Jets defeat Ducks for first win of season – Winnipeg | The Canadian News

No Mark Scheifele, no Blake Wheeler, no trouble for the Winnipeg Jets in their first home game Thursday night.

With two-thirds of their top line on COVID protocol, others were forced to step up and did so in a 5-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, Winnipeg’s first win of the young season.

Without two of its main weapons, the top line of the new look featured Kyle Connor, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Evgeny Svechnikov. And the trio certainly didn’t disappoint. Connor scored twice and the line combined for six points, including three goals in his first win.

“I thought we did some good things, but I think we can improve,” Dubois said. “We can play a full 60 minutes. Our line or whatever line is advancing, I think we can endure 60 minutes of being dangerous on offense, being good on defense.

“As long as you get a win after three losses, it feels good.”

Dubois has scored a goal in each of the last three games in a row. Andrew Copp is also on a three-game scoring streak after scoring another marker against the Ducks, while Josh Morrissey scored the other goal for Winnipeg.

Connor finished the night with three points and the Jets have now had four different looks on their top line in just the first four games of the season.

“I don’t think my game tends to change too much,” Connor said. “You bring what you bring to the table, you play the best you can, and consistently we all run the same system. So there is no reason why we shouldn’t be successful. You put in three good players and the chemistry comes a little bit over time. “

After surrendering at least four goals in each of the first three games, Connor Hellebuyck was much sharper against the Ducks, making 38 saves as the Jets were outscored 39-27.

“It takes us in the right direction,” Hellebuyck said. “It shows what we have to do to win games in this league. A great performance from everyone tonight, and we have to keep building it. “

The Jets have now won four consecutive opening games at home.

“Anyway, I thought our third period was our best period in terms of the pace of our game,” said head coach Paul Maurice. “I really like the fact that Connor (Hellebuyck), I don’t want him to see so many records every night, but he was ready, and his rebound control was really good tonight.”

READ MORE: Jets Scheifele Joins Team Captain on NHL COVID-19 Protocol

In front of a nearly full house at Canada Life Center, the night got off to a rocky start for the home team. Paul Stastny was called up for hitting just 77 seconds and Troy Terry made them pay, the eighth power play goal allowed of the season for the Jets.

But less than two minutes later, Dubois finished a beautiful passing sequence, landing his third of the season over John Gibson to tie the game.

At the beginning of the second, the Jets would attack again. A great pass from Nate Schmidt found Andrew Copp in the door for his third goal of the season, giving the Jets a lead they wouldn’t budge.

The trend of scoring early in the periods continued in the third. At the end of a power play, Morrissey edged out Gibson in his second game of the season to give Winnipeg a 3-1 lead.

Connor’s fourth of the season in an empty net helped seal the deal before beating Gibson with 74 seconds to the fifth, after which several confused fans (who hadn’t been to an NHL game in a long time) they were spoiled. the ice, somehow thinking that Connor had a hat-trick.

“I wasn’t sure, I checked the card to make sure I hadn’t missed something,” Maurice said. “But we appreciate the enthusiasm.”

“I’ve never seen that before,” Connor said. “I don’t know, the rumor was that it was free hat night and they didn’t like them so they were just throwing them away.”

Gibson made 22 saves in the loss.

The announced attendance for the first home game at full capacity since March 9, 2020 was 13,886. That’s about 1,400 below the normal capacity of 15,321.

READ MORE: Winnipeg Jets Captain Blake Wheeler Tests Positive, Symptomatic of COVID-19

The Jets return to action Saturday night at home against the Nashville Predators. The pregame show begins at 4 p.m. on Power 97 and the puck drops shortly after 6 p.m.