Jets jump to early lead, open series with 4-2 win

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA» Dustin Byfuglien scored about a minute after the puck dropped and the Winnipeg Jets built a three-goal lead early in the first period and went on to beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Saturday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

Patrik Laine and Joel Armia had goals 46 seconds apart to put the Jets up 3-0. Mark Scheifele gave Winnipeg a 4-1 lead midway through the second period with his 12th goal this postseason.

Brayden Mcnabb scored midway through the first and William Karlsson late in the second period to pull Vegas within two, but the expansion team couldn’t get closer.

Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves. Marc-andre Fleury stopped 22 shots for Vegas.

Winnipeg, which is making its deepest playoff run in franchise history, appeared to be in rhythm less than 48 hours after advancing past top-seeded Nashville.

Vegas, meanwhile, seemed rusty after resting for nearly a week after eliminating San Jose in the second round.

Or, maybe the Jets are just that good.

Winnipeg’s fast, deep and talented team had 114 points this season, trailing only the Predators’ league-high total by three points.

The hard-charging, smooth-passing Jets put the Pacific Division champions on their heels right from the start and didn’t relent.

Byfuglien’s slap shot 1:05 into the game ignited the party-like atmosphere in a relatively cozy arena with just 16,345 seats.

After the flurry of goals early, the Jets were able to possess the puck for much of the game to cut down on Vegas’ comeback chances.

John Woods, The Canadian Press From left, Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers, Mark Scheifele, Dustin Byfuglien and Patrik Laine celebrate Byfuglien’s goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of Game 1 of the Western Conference final Saturday in Winnipeg, Manitoba.