WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Captain Adam Lowry and Kyle Connor each scored two goals to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 7-6 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
Jets coach Rick Bowness said Lowry enjoys these challenges and steps up his game when facing top players like Nathan MacKinnon.
During the regular season, MacKinnon ranked second in league scoring with 140 points and contributed a goal and an assist in this game.
Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon praised Lowry's leadership and ability to elevate the team's performance, especially when facing tough opponents.
Mark Scheifele scored a goal and assisted on two others, while Josh Morrissey and Vladislav Namestnikov also scored. Brenden Dillon, Gabriel Vilardi, and Nino Niederreiter each provided two assists, and Connor had one helper.
The game featured 100 hits, with the Avalanche holding a 54-46 advantage.
Connor Hellebuyck made 40 saves for the Jets, who are currently on a nine-game winning streak.
Cale Makar contributed a goal and two assists for Colorado. Artturi Lehkonen, Valeri Nichushkin, Miles Wood, and Casey Mittelstadt also scored. Mikko Rantanen provided two assists.
Makar acknowledged the team's mistakes and the need to address them in order to move forward.
Alexandar Georgiev stopped 16 of 23 shots for Colorado, with Arvid Holm serving as the backup instead of Justus Annunen.
This matchup marks the first NHL playoff meeting between the two teams.
The Avalanche entered the series having lost all three regular-season games against Winnipeg.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar praised the team's effort but recognized the costly mistakes that affected the outcome.
He also acknowledged that the team's errors were capitalized on, leading to the loss.
The first period ended in a 3-3 tie, with three goals scored in a span of 66 seconds.
Connor expressed the need to adapt to the fast-paced nature of the game and emphasized the team's need for improvement.
The teams combined for four goals in just under four minutes after the first period.
Lowry scored the lone goal of the second period.
Lowry's second goal underwent a review as the puck hit one post, crossed the goal line, hit the other post, and then hit the post again before bouncing out. The goal was confirmed at 3:31.
Mark Scheifele's first-period goal marked his 20th career playoff goal, achieved in his 38th game.
Just three current players have gotten to that milestone in fewer games. Alex Ovechkin accomplished it in 26 games, Jake Guentzel in 32, and Connor McDavid in 36 games.
UP NEXT
The second game will take place on Tuesday in Winnipeg.
