January 24, 2013

Winnipeg Jets left winger Evander Kane (l) and right winger Blake Wheeler celebrate Kane's goal in the overtime period defeating the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 during NHL hockey in Winnipeg Thursday, December 29, 2011. BRIAN DONOGH/WINNIPEG SUN/QMI AGENCY

Blake Wheeler won’t need to deal with the stress of a goal-scoring drought to open this season.

The Winnipeg Jets right-winger got on the board in the third game of 2013, converting a perfect pass from Evander Kane at 14:26 of the second period in what turned out to be the winning goal in a 4-2 triumph over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

“It’s always nice to get that first one out of the way,” said Wheeler, who led the Jets in scoring last season but didn’t record his first goal until Game 19. “I don’t think anyone was happy with their game the first night. I thought I got a little bit better in Boston (Monday).