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The Winnipeg Jets survived a chaotic third period in Pittsburgh on Monday night, defeating the Penguins 3-2 to improve their record to 2-0-1 on the young season. Three five-on-five goals in the final frame proved decisive, ending a drought that had seen Jets forwards go scoreless at even strength through their first two-plus games.
A Scoreless Opening Built on Missed Chances
The first period produced plenty of action but no goals. Gabriel Vilardi came closest for Winnipeg. He had a back-door chance set up by a sharp pass from Isak Rosen, but Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov turned it aside. Vilardi also struck the post from the slot after a Pittsburgh turnover. Meanwhile, rookie Viggo Bjorck drew the first penalty of his career early on. The Jets killed it off, and Bjorck nearly scored immediately after stepping out of the box, but Murashov denied him there too. Winnipeg outshot Pittsburgh 12-11 in the opening frame, including 8-1 over the final seven and a half minutes.
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The second period continued in much the same way. Kyle Connor hit the post less than a minute in, then quickly set up Mark Scheifele for a net-front chance that Murashov gloved away. The two combined again moments later on a partial two-on-one, but Murashov stopped Connor’s one-timer with his blocker. Murashov, making just his fifth NHL start, was sharp throughout.
Pittsburgh eventually broke the deadlock in a controversial fashion. Ben Kindel redirected a fluttering puck through the legs of Clay Stevenson, who was making his first start as a Jet and the sixth of his NHL career. Officials initially waved off the goal, ruling a high stick. However, after a video review, they determined Kindel’s stick was below the crossbar at the moment of contact. The goal stood, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead. The Jets had a power play chance with under seven minutes left in the period but failed to register a single shot. Neal Pionk also rang a shot off the crossbar in the final minute. Pittsburgh carried the lead into the third, outshooting Winnipeg 11-8 in the period.
Jets Erupt in the Third Period
Coach Scott Arniel reshuffled his bottom three lines to start the third. Morgan Barron moved up to the second line, while Rosen and Iafallo joined Adam Lowry on the third line. Brad Lambert dropped to the fourth line. The changes paid off almost immediately.
With 15:17 remaining, Alex Iafallo carried the puck into the Pittsburgh zone and fed Rosen on his right. Murashov stopped Rosen’s shot, but Erik Karlsson pushed the rebound directly to Iafallo at the side of the net for a simple tap-in to level the score at 1-1.
The third line struck again at the 12:52 mark. After Dylan DeMelo forced a turnover at the point, Lowry won a puck battle and freed it to Iafallo, who drove hard to the net and drew a delayed penalty. Murashov lost track of the rebound, and Lowry raced to it and poked it home for his first goal of the season. Winnipeg led 2-1.
However, Pittsburgh responded quickly. A failed clear by Bjorck allowed Ville Koivunen to collect the puck, put it on the ice and pass it to the corner for Kindel. Kindel then spotted Declan Carlile wide open in the slot. Carlile fired a wrist shot past Stevenson with 11:07 left to tie the game at 2-2.
The tie lasted just nine seconds. Pittsburgh won the ensuing faceoff but misplayed the puck just outside their own blue line. Josh Morrissey collected it, skated into the zone and sent a cross-ice pass that Cole Perfetti blasted past Murashov to restore Winnipeg’s lead at 2-1. The Jets nearly extended it further when Dylan Samberg’s point shot rang off the post with under three minutes remaining.
Stevenson Holds Firm Late
Pittsburgh pulled their goalie for an extra attacker in the final minutes. Their best chance came with less than 20 seconds left. After Scheifele turned the puck over at the blue line, Evgeni Malkin unleashed a hard shot from the high slot. Stevenson turned it aside with his blocker to seal the win.
Stevenson finished with 29 saves to earn the victory. Murashov stopped 30 shots in a losing effort despite a strong individual performance. The Jets now return home to face the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 6:30 p.m., with an extended pregame show on 680 CJOB beginning at 4 p.m.
