A late first-period strike by Vladislav Namestnikov gave the Jets a narrow lead in their preseason clash, extending their momentum into the middle frame. The momentum shifted abruptly when Hughes equalized shortly afterward, his first goal of the preseason coming after a sharp shot that found the net. The back-and-forth exchange underscores the competitive edge both teams are bringing into their offseason preparations. Fans and analysts will be watching to see how either side responds in the second half.

The Jets took a 2-1 lead at 7:36 of the middle frame when Vladislav Namestnikov scored with a shot from the doorstep. Hughes tied the game at 18:28 with his first goal of the preseason via a shot from ...