Winnipeg defeats Vegas 4-2 in Game 1 of Western Conference finals

winnipeg – The Winnipeg Jets were in rhythm and the Vegas Golden Knights looked rusty.

Or, maybe the Jets are just that good.

Dustin Byfuglien scored about a minute after the puck dropped and Winnipeg built a three-goal lead early in the first period and went on to beat Vegas 4-2 on Saturday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

While the Jets played at home less than 48 hours after advancing past top-seeded Nashville on the road, the Golden Knights were off for nearly a week after eliminating San Jose.

"We didn't have much of a rest," Byfuglien said. "We're still in game mode."

Patrik Laine and Joel Armia had goals 46 seconds apart to put the Jets up 3-0. Mark Scheifele gave Winnipeg a 4-1 lead midway on a power play through the second period with his 12th goal this postseason.

Brayden McNabb scored midway through the first and William Karlsson had a power-play goal late in the second period to pull Vegas within two, but the expansion team couldn't get closer.

Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 22 shots for the Golden Knights, whose Stanley Cup-winning goalie has given up at least three goals for the fifth time in six games.

Fleury and the Golden Knights will have to be at, or near, their best when the Jets host Game 2 on Monday night.

"Next game, no excuses," Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault said. "Everybody needs to come and be ready to play our best game of the playoffs.

"We're going to show what kind of team we are."

The hard-charging, smooth-passing Jets put the Pacific Division champions on their heels from the start and didn't relent.

"We did take advantage of being game-ready," Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said.

Byfuglien's slapshot 1:05 into the game off a drop pass from Scheifele put Winnipeg up 1-0. That ignited the party-like atmosphere in a relatively cozy arena with just 16,345 seats and a low ceiling.

"That was huge for us," Jets center Paul Stastny said. "Early in the game, too. And then all of the sudden it gave life to everyone, everyone on the bench, the crowd."