Defenceman Erik Karlsson leads Senators over Jets 4-1 in season opener

WINNIPEG – Erik Karlsson had a goal and an assist as the Ottawa Senators spoiled the Winnipeg Jets’ home opener with a 4-1 victory Saturday afternoon.

Milan Michalek, Kyle Turris and Chris Neil, with the game-winner in the second period, scored Ottawa’s other goals.

Dustin Byfuglien scored one for the Jets, whose fans didn’t miss a beat with loud cheers and chants of “Go Jets Go” that began during warm-up.

Craig Anderson stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced in net for the Senators, while Winnipeg goalie Ondrej Pavelec faced 37 shots in front of a sellout crowd of 15,004 at MTS Centre.

Winnipeg fans had gained a reputation of being one of the loudest crowds in the league last season as they welcomed back an NHL squad after a 15-year absence. Games are sold out for three years and a waiting list is capped at 8,000 hopefuls.

The team soaked up the adoration at home last season, posting a 23-13-5 on home ice and overall 37-35-10 (84 points) mark.

Fans had something to cheer about early in the second season’s debut as the Jets took advantage of Ottawa’s first penalty, a boarding call on Neil for sending Winnipeg defenceman Mark Stuart into the boards near the Jets’ net.

Thirty seconds later, Byfuglien one-timed pass from Tobias Enstrom and sent the puck past Anderson at 6:00 of the first period for the 1-0 lead.

Byfuglien tied for second in league scoring last season for defencemen with 12 goals and 53 points in 66 games.

Michalek evened things up with 3:58 left in the opening period after Jets defenceman Paul Postma botched a clearing attempt.

The puck went to Sens defenceman Patrick Wiercioch at the point, who sent it toward the net for Michalek to poke it between Pavelec’s legs.

Neil gave Ottawa the go-ahead goal with 2:58 left in the second period after the Jets couldn’t clear a loose puck in their crease and he stretched his stick and tapped the puck in the open side.

The teams both had nine shots on goal in the second period, with Ottawa outshooting the Jets 24-20 after two.

Winnipeg had its fifth power-play opportunity early in third, but could not beat Anderson. The Jets finished 1-for-6 with the man advantage and the Senators were 1-for-2.

Karlsson got his team’s power-play marker after Jets captain Andrew Ladd was in the penalty box for slashing.

Last year’s Norris Trophy winner blasted a shot from the point past a screened Pavelec a minute into the man advantage that began at 11:15.

Turris stretched the lead to 4-1 when he went down the right wing and beat Pavelec on the stick side at 17:50.

The Sens outshot the Jets 37-28.

Ottawa was 21-14-6 on the road last season and 41-31-10 overall.

Notes: Daniel Alfredsson is the longest-serving captain in NHL, entering his 13 consecutive season wearing the C for the Senators … All concession food and drinks were 50 per cent off for the game as a thank-you gesture for fans.