Winnipeg Jets’ season opener spoiled by Bruins’ OT win

WINNIPEG, CANADA - OCTOBER 2: James Hagen #44 of the Boston Bruins redirects the puck past goaltender Stuart Skinner #74 of the Winnipeg Jets for a first period goal at the Canada Life Centre on October 2, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

WINNIPEG — JJ Peterka scored 3:21 into overtime to lead the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets in front of a packed house of 15,209 at Canada Life Centre on Friday night.

Peterka, who also had the game-winner against the New York Rangers earlier this week, beat Stuart Skinner five-hole to clinch the victory. Hampus Lindholm, James Hagens and Elias Lindholm also scored for Boston (2-0-0), which remains perfect on the year after blanking the Rangers 3-0 on Tuesday.

David Pastrnak and Nikita Zadorov both had a pair of assists. Jeremy Swayman made 30 saves to earn the win.

Dylan DeMelo, Kyle Connor, who added an assist for a two-point night, and Mario Ferraro scored for Winnipeg (0-1-0), which dropped to 10-6 in home-openers since relocating from from Atlanta in 2011.

Stuart Skinner stopped 26 shots in his Jets' debut, after signing with Winnipeg to be insurance for a disgruntled Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets' franchise goaltender demanded a trade and then refused to report to training camp, resulting in an indefinite suspension.

Winnipeg was 1-for-3 on the power play, while Boston went 0-for-1.

TAKEAWAYS

Jets: Winnipeg has been preaching the need for secondary scoring, so to get a pair from the blue line is a solid start. Also, Skinner is a clear fan-favourite, getting a "Stuuuu" chant for nearly every save he made.

Bruins: Boston was hot out of the gate, scoring twice in the opening period to take a 2-1 lead through 20 minutes. They went scoreless almost the rest of the way until Lindholm potted the tying goal.

KEY MOMENT

With the net empty and an extra attacker on the ice, Elias Lindholm redirected a Pastrnak shot off the leg of Jets defenceman Neal Pionk and past Skinner to tie the game 3-3 with 38 seconds remaining.

KEY STAT

Connor's power-play marker in the second period extended his NHL record for most consecutive season-openers with a goal to nine. No other player has scored in more than six consecutive.

UP NEXT

Bruins: Visit the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.

Jets: Visit the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2026.

Jeff Hamilton, The Canadian Press