COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nikolaj Ehlers had a standout performance, netting a hat trick – his fifth overall – as the Winnipeg Jets triumphed over the Columbus Blue Jackets with a score of 6-2 on Friday evening. This victory allowed the Jets to maintain their unbeaten streak on the road.

Mason Appleton and Gabriel Vilardi also contributed goals to the Jets’ tally, while Josh Morrissey registered a power-play goal along with an assist. Ehlers capped off his impressive night by adding another assist, further solidifying Winnipeg’s commanding start to the season with a record of 10 wins in their first 11 games. Goaltender Eric Comrie made 20 saves, helping the Jets achieve a perfect 6-0-0 record on the road, marking the best away start in the franchise’s history.

For the Blue Jackets, Sean Kuraly and Sean Monahan each scored, with Monahan converting during a power play. Elvis Merzlikins was busy in the net, making 37 saves but ultimately unable to stop the onslaught from Winnipeg.

In terms of context, this game was significant for Scott Arniel, who returned to Nationwide Arena for the first time as a head coach after being dismissed by the Blue Jackets in January 2012. His current team, the Jets, dominated the match right from the start, showcasing their position at the top of the NHL standings.

On the other side, the Blue Jackets struggled to keep pace with the swift and agile Jets, spending much of the game in a defensive stance with minimal success. They were outshot in each period, ending the game with a staggering deficit of 21 shots.

A pivotal moment came late in the second period when Monahan scored with just 3:30 remaining, trimming the Jets’ lead to 3-2. However, Ehlers quickly extinguished any momentum for Columbus by netting his third goal just 2:20 later, allowing Winnipeg to pull away decisively.

Another noteworthy statistic saw the Jets continue their strong performance on the power play, maintaining their streak by scoring with a man advantage in each of their last four games. Winnipeg holds the league’s top power-play efficiency, with a successful conversion rate of 14 out of 31 this season.

Looking ahead, the Jets are set to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, while the Blue Jackets will travel to Washington for a match on Saturday.