WINNIPEG, Manitoba — JJ Peterka is batting 1.000.
Peterka scored in his second straight game with the Bruins — this one an overtime strike — as the Bruins spoiled the Jets’ season opener with a 4-3 win Friday night at Canada Life Centre.
Peterka collected a pass from David Pastrnak at center ice, turned on the turbo boosters, dusted a pair of Jets, and then beat Stuart Skinner for the winner.
“It’s almost like he smells blood when he sees half a breakaway. I’ve never seen someone so fast. And then obviously he knows how to finish it off,” said Hampus Lindholm. “[He makes] it look easy, but people don’t understand how hard it is, what he does. So, we’re glad to have him on our side.”
Peterka, who also scored Tuesday in the opener, had a quick thought as he barreled down on Skinner.
“I went high earlier and re-watching it, I felt like the five-hole was kind of open,” he said. “So, I was thinking it’s a good time.”
The Bruins (2-0) trailed, 3-2, late in the third, but tied it on Elias Lindholm’s goal with less than two minutes left and Jeremy Swayman pulled for the extra attacker.
It came off a set play drawn up by assistant coach Steve Spott during a timeout.
“Spotter drew a nice play. Yeah, they executed very well. I mean, once in a while it actually works,” said beaming Bruins coach Marco Sturm. “We forget about the other ones.”
Some other observations from the win:
Jump start
The Bruins trailed, 1-0, and had very little life in their legs early when Mark Kastelic used his fists to produce a spark. Kastelic fought Tyrel Bauer; though he came out bloodied, the Boston power forward had refocused his bench.
“I think those guys always get us juiced,” Hampus Lindholm said of Boston’s fourth line. “They’re the bravest guys on the team and they always stick up for us, and they know when to get us going like Kasty today. So, it always gets the boys going.”
Kids’ stuff
James Hagens potted his first career goal to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. The puck is destined for the mantel at Hagens’s parents’ home in Hauppauge, N.Y.
Hagens’s teammates feted him on the bench, including a semi-hug from Swayman who came over during a break in the action.
“Yeah, I think that kind of speaks to the culture here to be able to have everybody come over and congratulate me,” said Hagens. “It’s something I’ll never forget. It means a lot to me and these guys are awesome.”
On the offensive
Boston’s defensemen joined the rush more often, carrying the puck into the offensive end to try and create chances. Nikita Zadorov and Mason Lohrei used their long strides to lug the puck, while Hampus Lindholm, Connor Clifton, and Jonathan Aspirot were shot ready.
“Try to shoot more, try to jump in more. I feel a bit fresher, too,” said Hampus Lindholm, who scored Boston’s first goal. “Obviously no knee surgery this summer, so it’s nice. So, I just feel like myself, so just try to play my game and it’s fun to see it go in.”
Power-play tinkering
Hampus Lindholm has been quarterbacking the top power-play unit, but Lohrei took over on the second opportunity. The two are holding the fort until Charlie McAvoy comes back from his suspension.
“We practiced both,” said Sturm. “So, it was not like [we switched] because of Hampus. Without Charlie, we just got to find it, too. And so, we kind of went back and forth.”
Back to back
The Bruins get right back to work Saturday when they visit St. Paul for the Wild’s home opener.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him @globejimmcbride.