Dawson Mercer scored twice, including a power-play winner, as the Winnipeg Jets beat the New Jersey Devils 4-2 on Tuesday.
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Dawson Mercer had a pair of goals, with his second coming on the power play at 11:58 of the third period, as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-2 in a game described as having a playoff-like atmosphere.
Mercer also scored earlier in the contest before Kyle Connor added two for Winnipeg, with his second an empty-net goal with 58 seconds left to seal the win.
Connor’s first goal was assisted by Mark Scheifele, who moved into a second-place tie on the Jets franchise all-time assists list with Dale Hawerchuk at 550.
Winnipeg goaltender Nico Daws, who was obtained in the trade that sent Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey, made 19 saves to earn the victory and help the Jets run their winning streak to four straight.
After the trade, both Mercer and Daws returned to face the Devils for the first time, and Mercer said it “definitely meant a little more” to play his old team.
Mercer also praised Daws after the tightly contested game at 2-2, saying the netminder “stayed calm” and “showed what he can do tonight.”
Daws, who said it “feels really good” to earn two points against his former team, credited Winnipeg’s supporters for the environment and said the building was loud throughout the night.
Jets coach Scott Arniel said Mercer and Daws were “fired up” for the matchup and that the club responded well as it pushed for a key result.
Despite the loss, New Jersey’s Jake Allen started in place of Hellebuyck and took the defeat after allowing four Jets goals.
The night at Canada Life Centre was marked by chants and boos aimed at Hellebuyck during pre-game warm-ups, with fans voicing taunts as the goaltender was booed and challenged with chants such as “Helle Sucks!” and “Coward.”
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