If anything, this poll suggests that she's more vulnerable than Kirk and Johnson. A Republican female incumbent sitting at 42% in a blue state is pretty bad news for the GOP. Also, Republicans are usually ahead in the early NH polls taken one year before the election. This race is Leans D at this point, but Ayotte's gender may just barely save her from getting defeated/Blanched.
Not sure how Ayotte's gender will be used to her advantage here. Her opponent almost certainly will be Maggie Hassan, who is also a woman. If woman voters were so inclined to vote for a woman, they can chose either Ayotte or Hassan. Keeping this is mind, they would most likely vote for the candidate they agree with the most. I also think it is inaccurate to assume people will chose who to vote for solely based on the candidate's gender
