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Jets crush Panthers

Jan 14, 2015 - 6:50 AM Winnipeg, MB (SportsNetwork.com) - Mathieu Perreault scored four goals to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a convincing 8-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

Perreault's first two goals gave the Jets a 2-0 lead in the first period, and his next two were scored barely a minute apart late in the second period.

"The bounces were going my way," said Perreault. "It was one of those night and obviously a lot of fun."

Winnipeg got a pair of goals and an assist from Dustin Byfuglien. Jay Harrison and Evander Kane also lit the lamp for the Jets.

Michael Hutchinson made 25 saves to help the Jets win for the second time in three games.

Roberto Luongo allowed four goals on 20 shots for the Panthers before being yanked from the game. Al Montoya did not fare any better, allowing four more on 15 shots as Florida had its three-game winning streak snapped.

"It wasn't one guy or one line, it was every player on our team," Florida head coach Gerard Gallant said of his team's woes.

Dave Bolland and Brad Boyes scored for the Panthers.

Perreault opened the scoring in the first when he took a pass from Zach Bogosian in front of the net and beat Luongo. Perreault scored on the power play four minutes later, and Byfuglien's 10th goal of the season 3 1/2 minutes into the second period gave Winnipeg a 3-0 lead.

Bolland then scored his first goal as a member of the Panthers five minutes into the second. Hutchinson could not corral a loose puck in the crease and Bolland was able to get a stick on it.

Florida's two goal deficit was brief. A minute later, Byfuglien scored his second of the night on a nifty move around a defenseman. He tucked the puck by Luongo to end the goalie's night.

Later in the period, Toby Enstrom was initially credited with Winnipeg's fifth goal of the night. His slapshot found the back of the net but after further review, the goal was awarded to Perreault.

On his next shift, Perreault took advantage of Florida's inability to clear the puck out of its crease. While Montoya and Brian Campbell failed to move the puck, Perreault was able to backhand it into the net for his 15th of the season.

In the third period, the Jets added to their lead early on Harrison's goal and after Boyes tallied for the Panthers, Kane's power play marker accounted for the final margin.

Game Notes

Florida has lost five straight games in Winnipeg ... Winnipeg's Andrew Ladd has four goals and five assists in a seven-game point streak ... Jets coach Paul Maurice won his 500th game in the NHL ... After going 272 games in Winnipeg before Bryan Little gave the Jets their first hat trick since relocating from Atlanta, Winnipeg now has two in its last 18 games.