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Coyotes vs. Winnipeg Jets: Ekman-Larsson Leads Phoenix To Home Win

The Phoenix Coyotes might have precious few atmospheres like they one they had Saturday night at Jobing.com Arena throughout the season, but they made this one a night to remember.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a 20-year-old defenseman from Sweden, scored a pair of goals to lead the Coyotes to a 4-1 win over the reincarnated WInnipeg Jets before 17,132 fans. 

Phoenix (2-1-1) also got a goal and assist from Ray Whitney and two assists from Shane Doan, who didn't get his 300th career goal but still played a major role. 

Center Daymond Langkow opened the scoring 34 seconds into the game, and the Coyotes never trailed thereafter. Ekman-Larsson made it 2-0 before the first period was over and 3-0 with his second-period goal before Andrew Ladd scored for the Jets. 

The Coyotes converted on only one power play, but Whitney's goal made it 4-1. He took a pass from behind the net from Martin Hanzal and scored with 13:17 to play in the game. 

Goaltender Mike Smith stopped 18 of 19 shots, including a penalty shot from Jets center Nik Antropov halfway through the final period. Smith got his first win in goal of the season for Phoenix.

Smith took a knock from the Jets' Evander Kane with 9:04 left and was down on the ice for a little bit, but got up and finished the game.

Andrew Ladd scored the winless Jets' only goal of the game, giving those in the crowd rooting for Winnipeg -- and there were more than a few -- something to be happy about. The Jets are back in the NHL after a 15-year absence after the original Jets relocated to Arizona and became the Coyotes in 1996.