COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Maksim Mayorov had a goal and assist for Columbus, and Evander Kane scored Winnipeg's first goal and the Blue Jackets beat the Jets 5-1 in a split-squad preseason opener for both clubs Tuesday night.
Kane flicked home a backhand at 6:21 of the second period for Winnipeg's first goal since 1996, the year the NHL left town for Phoenix and returned 15 years later from Atlanta.
"It's the first goal, even though it's preseason," Kane said. "It's nice to get on the board."
"The first thing I noticed is how good (the uniforms) looked, to be honest, in warmups," defenseman Ron Hainsey said. "I thought we at least looked good."
Columbus' Nick Holden started the scoring in the first period while Boone Jenner, Mayorov, Antoine Vermette and Samuel Pahlsson added second-period goals for the Blue Jackets.
Kane made it 3-1 off the rush on a feed from Blake Wheeler.
"It's an honor to be in a Winnipeg Jets jersey and get the season going," center Tim Stapleton said.
The Jets' John Albert nearly had the game's first goal, but it was waived off due to a goalie interference call on Carl Klingberg.
Goalie Mark Dekanich, a surprise free-agent signing by Columbus to possibly back up incumbent Steve Mason, did not return after the opening period due to a lower-body injury.
