EDMONTON The Winnipeg Jets got to work putting last season's playoff disappointment behind them with Wednesday's season-opening trouncing of a team that went a lot further in the post-season.
The Edmonton Oilers made a remarkable run all the way to the Western Conference Final last season where they fell to the Colorado Avalanche. However this season the script was very different, with the Jets coming in to secure an emphatic 6-0 win to get their 2023-24 campaign underway in style.
The Jets put on a clinic of goal-scoring mastery at Rogers Place home of the Oilers. Given the difficult end to last season for the Winnipeg Jets - crashing out to the Vegas Golden Knights - this resounding victory marked the perfect start and will undoubtedly be a massive confidence boost for a team with plenty to prove in the NHL this season.
It was quickly apparent the tone was going to be set for Jets to assert their authority as they consistently crafted scoring chance after scoring chance. There was no doubt they started strong and were looking the far more formidable team in all areas of the ice.
A flurry of chances followed the early opening stages of the match and one couldn't help but feel an early goal was on the horizon for Winnipeg - and one duly arrived in the form of an incredibly well-crafted effort from one of their star players.
Winnipeg now look forward with anticipation and a spring in their step as they move on to the next fixture in the NHL packed schedule, knowing so early on in the season how crucial it is for them to start positively.
Conversely following this disheartening drubbing the Edmonton Oilers now face some very real questions that they must answer and quickly if they are to repeat their heroics of last season The loss has left their fans questioning what exactly went wrong, where it all began to unravel and how this loss could potentially alter their plans in what's shaping up to be an intriguing NHL season.