In Edmonton, the Winnipeg Jets and Oilers opened their series on Wednesday night.
The Jets surrendered the first goal of the game and then scored four straight in a 4-1 road win and a 1-0 series lead.
Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves wrest home ice away from the Oilers.
“I just thought it was a good team game tonight,” Hellebuyck said. “Our details were right, and our offensive game came when it needed to. It was a great team win tonight.”
Jesse Puljujarvi gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead in the second period.
“I think we had some nerves and some jitters in the first period,” Edmonton’s Connor McDavid said. “We kind of got through that even, but then I thought we took over in the second and did a lot of good things. We put a lot of pucks on net and hemmed them in there for chunks at a time. You’d like to come out of that period with a lead, but ultimately that wasn’t the case. The third period was back and forth, and a tight hockey game, and they get a bounce and that’s the way it goes.”
Dominic Toninato put the Jets up, 2-1, near the midway point of the third period.
“It’s an exciting time and I’m just happy to help the team out,” Toninato said. “It was a good team win tonight, but it was only one of four. We have to be ready to go for the next game.”
Game 2 is Friday in Edmonton.
“I thought that both teams were actually tentative in some of their play with the puck early, which is understandable,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “It was a little more physical at times so there weren’t a lot of plays made. And then neither team generated much off the rush, which is prototypical of playoff hockey. I thought they did a better job getting to our crease and scrumming pucks. Where Connor [Hellebuyck] was really good was within two feet of the blue paint. I think that’s an area we have to improve on.”
Tucker Poolman tied the game, 1-1, in the middle frame.
“I think I just tried to work hard and make good plays and play smart,” Puljujarvi said. “It was a hard game and hopefully we can win the next one.”
Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler had a goal and two points each in the win; both goals were empty-netters.
“If you’re going to have success in the playoffs you’re going to have guys step up,” Wheeler said. “I think [Toninato] since he’s been playing for us the last few games has really opened some eyes and has just been a great asset for us. It’s huge to get contributions from your entire lineup and those guys some confidence for sure.” 
Mike Smith made 18 saves in the loss.
“It’s playoff hockey, it’s tight,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said. “They got a break on the winning goal and the first empty-net goal, it hits the referee. That’s the way things go, it’s going to be tight and you have to capitalize on some chances. There are some things we can do better, some execution things, but that’s how it’s going to be, it’s going to be tight hockey.”
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