The Winnipeg Jets came to Columbus and showed the Blue Jackets and the NHL why they are the best team right now. Nikolaj Ehlers scored a hat trick to help pace the Jets to a dominant 6-2 victory Friday evening. The win puts the Jets at 10-1-0 for the new season. The Blue Jackets fall to 5-4-1.

Game Summary

The Jets had the upper hand in the first game in attempts, shots and goals. It was the Ehler show. He scored both goals in the first game, in typical Ehlers fashion. He scored the 1-0 goal in front of Elvis Merzlikins on a shot which seemed to surprise him a little. Then the 2-1 goal was a well-placed shot. Both goals pushed Merzlikins to the opposite side.

Between the Ehlers goals, Sean Kuraly scored as the fourth line created pressure. James van Riemsdyk put the puck behind the net. His pass found Kuraly who made no mistake in beating goalkeeper Eric Comrie.

The Blue Jackets finished the period with a few chances when Zach Werenski hit the post. Then Kirill Marchenko and Yegor Chinakhov had a 2 on 1 in which Marchenko’s pass was blocked. The Jets held a 12-8 advantage in shots on goal through the first 20 games.

The Jets managed to maintain their two-goal lead into the second half. Mason Appleton made it 3-1 just 2:20 into the second. Then the Blue Jackets power play was able to convert late in the second to cut the score to 3-2. Sean Monahan converted to score his 250th career goal.

Ehlers then completed his hat trick on a great play by Cole Perfetti to win the possession. He swept the puck towards Ehlers who had a wide open net. Three lone hats hit the ice in honor of this hat trick.

The Blue Jackets couldn’t get any closer. Josh Morrissey and Gabriel Vilardi added goals in the third period to advance to the final 6-2. Merzlikins made 38 saves while Comrie stopped 20 of 22.

After the game, head coach Dean Evason said the Blue Jackets “didn’t have a forecheck all night.” They’re looking forward to Saturday when they take on the Washington Capitals at 5:00 p.m. The Jets return home and host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.