(Winnipeg) Captain Adam Lowry and Kyle Connor each scored twice to propel the Winnipeg Jets to a 7-6 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday as their first-round Western series began.
“Adam has shown a lot of leadership for us, on and off the ice,” said Jets coach Rick Bowness. He was an excellent choice as captain. »
“He’s constantly going against the other club’s best players,” added Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon.
“When there is something that is not on point collectively, he manages to put us back on the right track. »
This was the first time the two teams met in the NHL playoffs.
A sold-out crowd of 15,225 fans dressed in white had plenty to applaud at the Canada Life Centre.
Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists, while Josh Morrissey had a goal and an assist.
Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for the Jets.
Dillon, Gabriel Vilardi and Nino Niederreiter each added two assists.
Connor Hellebuyck made 39 saves for the Jets, winning their last games overall.
The second game will take place Tuesday evening in Winnipeg.
For the Avalanche, Cale Makar scored a goal and took part in two other goals.
“Our mistakes were all costly,” Makar said. It happens. We’re going to refine some things and turn the page. »
Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen each had a goal and an assist.
Valeri Nichushkin, Miles Wood and Casey Mittelstadt also scored, while Mikko Rantanen had two assists.
The Avalanche lost all three regular season games against Winnipeg.
Alexander Georgiev stopped 16 shots for Colorado, which won the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Winnipeg finished just three points ahead of Colorado in the Central Division.
Wood’s goal marked the 1000the playoff goal in the history of the Avalanche and the Quebec Nordiques.
Scheifele’s goal was his 20e career goal in the playoffs, at his 38e match of the kind.
Only three active players have reached this mark in fewer games: Alexander Ovechkin in 26 games, Jake Guentzel in 32 and Connor McDavid in 36 games.