Three things - Jets win a wild Game 1

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets opened their best of seven opening round series with a wild 7-6 win over the Colorado Avalanche at Canada Life Centre ending their four-game losing streak on home ice in the playoffs.  The Jets tied a franchise record for most goals in a playoff game (they also scored seven in 2018 vs. Nashville). Adam Lowry and Kyle Connor scored twice, Josh Morrissey, Vladislav Namestnikov and Mark Scheifele had the other goals. Scheifele (1G, 2A), Connor (2G, 1A), Lowry (2G), Gabriel Vilardi (2A), Nino Neiderreiter (2A), Brenden Dillon (2A) and Morrissey (1G, 1A) had multiple point nights for the Jets who will host Game 2 on Tuesday.

WILD, WILD FIRST

The two Central Division rivals put on a show in the opening period of the series scoring six times in a 9:43 span. Colorado opened the scoring at 6:10 with Valeri Nichuskin beating Connor Hellebuyck on the Avs 11^th shot. Winnipeg responded with two goals 3:55 apart, Josh Morrissey at 8:02, Vladislav Namestnikov at 11:57. The Avalanche came back with from Miles Wood at 14:47 and Nathan MacKinnon at 15:05 to retake the lead at 3-2. But 48 seconds after the MacKinnon goal, Mark Scheifele evened things at three. Per NHL Stats, Scheifele scored his 20th career postseason goal (38 GP). Only three active players have hit the mark in fewer games: Alex Ovechkin (26 GP), Jake Guentzel (32 GP) and Connor McDavid (36 GP).

HELLEBUYCK HUGE

Connor Hellebuyck faced 46 shots from the Avalanche tonight marking the fourth time he has faced more than 40 in a playoff game in his career. Hellebuyck became the first goalie in NHL history to earn each of a franchise’s first 18 playoff wins moving past Georges Vezina, who had each of Montreal’s first 17 NHL playoff wins from 1918 to 1925.

"It could have been worse. Seriously. We don't give up that many chances. We don't give up that many shots," said Rick Bowness.

"And Connor had to play better and he made a lot of big saves at the right time, which he always does. I'm not hanging any of those goals on him."

ALWAYS READY FOR GAME 1

Connor, Scheifele and Lowry always seem to be ready for the start of a series. Coming into tonight, the trio had scored in three Game 1’s and all three scored as well vs. the Avalanche in Sunday's series opener. Lowry was named the game's first star with his two goals and a team leading six hits. 

"His game speaks for himself even in the regular season. He just plays the right way," said Connor.

"He has a 200-foot game, hits like that. Smart player and you see it, that’s why he’s our captain."