Jets return home with authority, top Blue Jackets in front of home crowd

After six straight games on the road that produced just two wins, the Winnipeg Jets returned home and reminded everyone of their capability, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5–2 last night at Canada Life Centre.

It marked the Jets’ first home game in over two weeks, and they appeared eager to shift gears. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, were in town for the homecoming of Dominion City native Denton Mateychuk, but the night belonged to Winnipeg.

Winnipeg struck early in the first period when Adam Lowry put in his first goal of the season at 7:35 of the opening frame, assisted by Nino Niederreiter and Neal Pionk. The Blue Jackets answered late in the period when Miles Wood netted his fifth of the season at 18:27 with assists from Damon Severson and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.

The Jets took control in the second period. Josh Morrissey scored at 1:12 of the second with assists from Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Neal Pionk added a power‑play goal at 15:30 with help from Gustav Nyquist and Niederreiter.

In the third, Kyle Connor scored at 2:45 assisted by Scheifele and Morrissey, to push Winnipeg’s lead to 4–1. Columbus responded with a quick reply from Zach Werenski at 4:04, but the Jets sealed things with Logan Stanley’s goal at 6:23 with assists from Scheifele and Luke Schenn.

On the goaltending front, Eric Comrie stopped 20 of 22 shots to pick up the win. Columbus’s Merzlikins gave up five on 30.

The Jets’ penalty kill came through when it mattered. Columbus converted none of their power‑play chances (0‑1), while Winnipeg scored once on the man advantage (1‑2). The home team outshot the visitors 30–22 and showed improved energy and focus after a 2‑4 road trip.

For Mateychuk, the return to his home province was a bittersweet one. The young Blue Jackets defenceman got to skate in front of a Manitoba crowd but watched the visitors celebrate in his moment.