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Andrew Ladd scored 8 seconds into the game and finished with two goals and an assist to lead the Winnipeg Jets over the New Jersey Devils 3-1 on Thursday night.

Ladd went around the defense to pick up a bouncing puck and put a backhand past Devils goalie Johan Hedberg just 8 seconds after the opening faceoff.

Hedberg finished with 18 saves.

Ladd's goal was the fastest ever allowed by the Devils to start a game. The previous record belonged to Washington's Yvon Corriveau, who scored at the 10-second mark on Jan. 24, 1990.

''It's unfortunate to put yourself in that hole off the bat,'' Devils coach Peter DeBoer said. ''But we had enough time to get ourselves back in the game and get the win.

''We created enough chances to score three or four tonight. We just need to put them in.''

Blake Wheeler added an empty-net goal for the Jets, who have won three straight and five of six.

Andrei Loktionov had the lone goal for the Devils, extending his point streak to four games (2g-2a). He tied the game early in the second period when he streaked down the right wing and snapped a shot between Ondrej Pavelec's pads.

Alexei Ponikarovsky set up the goal to stretch his assist streak to three games (3a).

Devils' special teams killed three power plays in the second period, including 56 seconds of a Winnipeg 5-on-3. New Jersey went 0-for-3 with the man advantage.

Ladd added his 12th goal of the season to break a 1-all tie with 8 minutes remaining. Winnipeg defenseman Dustin Byfuglien carried the puck end-to-end and attempted a wraparound before Ladd jammed the loose puck into the net.

''It's frustrating,'' New Jersey forward David Clarkson said. ''We've got to find a way to get out of this and start playing in the other team's zone a little more.''

The Devils' three-game road trip continues Saturday in Buffalo.

With wire reports