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Jets Continue Winning Streak with 4-1 Victory Over Penguins

The Winnipeg Jets extended their winning streak to two games with a decisive 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Friday night. The Jets, now leading the NHL in both wins (17) and points (34), showcased their dominance with a balanced offensive effort and another stellar performance from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

Kyle Connor led the way with an assist and an empty-net goal, while Nino Niederreiter, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Gabriel Vilardi also found the back of the net. Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, stopped 17 of 18 shots to secure his league-leading 14th win. He has been outstanding this season, boasting a .924 save percentage across 16 games.

The Penguins, meanwhile, continued their struggles, managing only one win in their last six games (1-3-2). Pittsburgh registered a season-low 18 shots, surpassing their previous low of 19 shots in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Jets Strike Early and Often

Winnipeg wasted no time opening the scoring. Just 1:22 into the first period, Evgeni Malkin’s mishandled clearance deflected off the end boards, landing in front of the Penguins’ net. Niederreiter pounced on the loose puck and scored his eighth goal of the season.

Namestnikov doubled the Jets’ lead early in the second period, celebrating his 32nd birthday in style. He finished off his own rebound during a three-on-two rush at the 4:53 mark for his sixth goal of the season.

The Jets extended their advantage late in the second period with a power-play goal. Vilardi fired a quick wrist shot from the slot, beating Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry with just 59 seconds remaining before intermission. Winnipeg finished the night 1-for-3 on the power play and now leads the NHL in power-play efficiency at 35.6%.

Penguins Show Late Fight

Pittsburgh’s frustration boiled over in the third period when captain Sidney Crosby dropped the gloves with Connor, a rare occurrence that briefly energized the Penguins. Michael Bunting capitalized on the momentum, scoring a power-play goal at 5:49 of the third period—his fourth goal of the season.

However, the Penguins were unable to sustain their rally. Connor’s empty-net goal with 1:11 left sealed the victory for Winnipeg.

Tristan Jarry made 26 saves on 29 shots for Pittsburgh, but the Penguins’ offensive woes persisted. The team will look to rebound as they continue a challenging stretch of the season.

Up Next

The Jets will aim to extend their hot streak as they return home for their next game. Meanwhile, the Penguins hope to regroup as they seek answers to their recent struggles.