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.
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