NHL scores 2016: Youth continues to lead Jets, Oilers to early success

As a side-effect of being ... well, bad for so many years, the Winnipeg Jets now find themselves with a glut of young talent up and down the lineup.

So while the conscious decision to lean on the youth hard this season was an easy one, they couldn’t have imagined it paying off like it has so far.

Winnipeg, one of the worst NHL teams last season, marched into the home of the confident Colorado Avalanche on Friday and blanked them in a 1-0 contest.

Patrik Laine, the 18-year-old Finn with a cannon of a shot but only a few games into his NHL career, led all forwards (both teams) with over 21 minutes of ice-time. He didn’t end up on the score-sheet, but he registered three shots and the third-highest Corsi For percentage of any Jet. He was an underlying force.

But more impressive was the Jets’ goaltending. Part of deciding to go with youth this season meant making a necessary decision the Jets have been hesitant to make over the last few years: parting ways with long-time (yet mediocre) goalie Ondrej Pavelec. The hope was that his departure would pave the way for youngsters Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson to grow into their roles as franchise backstoppers.

So far, they have. Hutchinson pitched a 37-save shutout in Denver on Friday, shutting down the Avalanche as they pressed relentlessly in the third period. Hellebuyck hasn’t been shabby, either.

It’s been two weeks, and the Jets continue to turn to their youth and inexperience for success. Whether that lasts this season remains to be seen, but it certainly solidifies their bright future a bit.

Carolina Hurricanes 3, New York Rangers 2

Chicago Blackhawks 3, New Jersey Devils 2 (OT)

Winnipeg Jets 1, Colorado Avalanche 0

Calgary Flames 5, Ottawa Senators 2

Edmonton Oilers 2, Vancouver Canucks 0

Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Anaheim Ducks 0

1. The Blackhawks killed a penalty, but did it really happen?

After all, nobody in Chicago was watching. In fact, they killed three of them; including a crucial one midway through the third that preserved a tie long enough for Marian Hossa to send the game to overtime a few minutes later. Chicago’s penalty kill jumps to 50 percent on the season. Which is still the worst in the NHL by far, but it’s at least the third straight game they’ve killed off at least half of their penalties.

But, as always, the easiest way to improve your penalty kill is to stop marching to the penalty box. With four penalties on Friday, that trend doesn’t seem to be tapering off yet.

2. The Avalanche need to wear those uniforms for every home game

Just look at them. They’re gorgeous.

3. Jeff Skinner is Great Again

After a few hit-or-miss seasons (largely due to injuries and a poor supporting cast), the former Calder Trophy winner is back to his prolific-scoring ways.

Skinner came off injured reserve on Friday and promptly scored twice and assisted on the game-winning goal in Carolina’s rousing home opener against the Rangers. Make that nine points in six games for the 24-year-old. I suppose we shouldn’t be too surprised; after all, in 2015-16, Skinner enjoyed his best season since his rookie year with 28 goals and 51 points in a full season of healthy hockey.

But considering the peaks and valleys of his post-Calder career, it’s exciting to see Skinner has truly rounded into form as the elite sniper he showed potential for six years ago.

Here is tonight’s obligatory reminder that Connor McDavid leads the NHL in points, as we all predicted. Tonight’s reminder comes to you in the form of a video.

Kind of makes you wonder what their record would look like if their penalty kill wasn’t so awful, huh?

Mats Zuccarello is still having an excellent season.