The Winnipeg Jets are officially off to the best start to a season in NHL history. Scott Arniel’s squad won 4-1 against the Dallas Stars at the Canada Life Center on Saturday to bring their record to 14-1-0, an unprecedented start to a campaign.
The Jets shared a 13-1-0 record with the Ottawa Senators, who achieved the feat during the 2007-08 campaign.
Alex Iafallo and Vladislav Namestnikov led the attack for the Jets, who won their sixth straight victory, with a goal and an assist each. Cole Perfetti had two assists. Connor Hellebuyck, who had two shutouts in his last two outings, blocked 32 shots.
Jake Oettinger surrendered four times on 15 shots before giving the net to Casey DeSmith at 9:21 of the second period. DeSmith was then perfect on 10 shots in front of the Dallas net (8-5-0).
Iafallo put Winnipeg ahead on a five-man attack at 7:28 of the first period by scoring after taking a nice pass from Namestnikov from behind the net. Iafallo was on his second goal of the calendar.
The former Los Angeles Kings then forced a turnover at the expense of defenseman Matt Dumba before passing the puck to Rasmus Kapari, who doubled Winnipeg’s lead at 10:21.
Namestnikov made it 3-0 after a spinner at 3:34 of the middle period.
Nikolaj Ehlers then took advantage of a power play to make it 4-0 and take Dallas out of the game at 7:14.
Hellebuyck saw his streak of 191:47 without allowing a goal end when Roope Hintz beat him with just 1:22 remaining in the game. Hellebuyck nevertheless broke the Jets franchise record owned by Ondrej Pavelec, who had not conceded in 187:05 between April 4 and 9, 2015.
Stars forward Mason Marchment, who returned to action after missing his team’s last game due to an undisclosed injury, was hit in the face by a shot in his first appearance on the ice, but he was back on the ice at the end of the first period.
Swiss
