The Winnipeg Jets took an early lead against the Minnesota Wild with a 2-0 score at the end of the first period. Alex Iafallo scored the opening goal at 3:59, which took a fortuitous deflection off Minnesota's captain Jared Spurgeon, and was later described as a 'Plinko special'. Nino Niederreiter added to the lead at 14:38 with a determined effort, scoring after a scramble in front of the net and a pass from Adam Lowry. The Jets' performance was buoyed by the presence of their first sold-out crowd of the season. Despite some pressure from the Wild, the Jets maintained their lead, with goalie Connor Hellebuyck keeping the opposition at bay. Shots on goal were 13-9 in favor of Winnipeg as the teams headed into the break.
#mnwild trail the Jets 2-0 after one period. Alex Iafallo with the initial goal, a puck that caromed off Jared Spurgeon and then Filip Gustavsson, before Nino Niederreiter doubled Winnipeg's lead.
#NHLJets lead 2-0 after the first period. Goals from Iafallo and Niederreiter. Shots 12-9 WPG.
2-0 Jets after 1....Wild were better the second 10 minutes of the period but sloppiness in own zone cost them two goals
First period comes to a close. #NHLJets 2 #mnwild 0. SOG 13-9 for Winnipeg.
Winnipeg's first sold out crowd of the season treated to a 2-0 #NHLJets first period. Ping ponging puck luck for Alex Iafallo + hard-working net driving for Nino Niederreiter.
The Winnipeg Jets third line outworks the Wild defence down low, and it ends up with Nino Niederreiter pouncing on the rebound for a 2-0 lead. 🚨 https://t.co/C8nghPM8Pd
Nino Niederreiter has been full of fuel and fire, ornery early, and it's 2-0 #NHLJets because he drives the net to bury Adam Lowry's pass. Great board battle before that, too.
Nino Niederreiter battles his way to the blue paint and buries a loose puck. 2-0 #NHLJets at 14:38 of the first period. Adam Lowry with primary assist.
Connor Hellebuyck turned around on one shift and then gives the puck away on the next but Winnipeg's early afternoon puck luck continues: Minnesota can't find a goal and it's still 1-0 late in the 1st.
#NHLJets have sold out their first game this season.
Alex Iafallo gets several merry bounces on a flukey 1-0 #NHLJets goal. A little puck luck for your Saturday afternoon.
Alex Iafallo with a Plinko special, turning and firing a slapper that caroms off #mnwild captain Jared Spurgeon. 1-0 #NHLJets at 3:59 of the first period.