The Winnipeg Jets scored three goals in a wild third-period stretch to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Monday at PPG Paints Arena. Alex Iafallo tied it, then set up the go-ahead goal before Cole Perfetti put Winnipeg in front for good, as the Jets improved to 2-0-1.
Pittsburgh led 1-0 entering the third period after Ben Kindel’s tip-in goal, and Declan Carlile’s equalizer with 8:53 left briefly erased Winnipeg’s lead. But Perfetti answered just nine seconds later, capping a three-goal surge in less than four minutes that decided the Jets vs Penguins matchup. Carlile finished with a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who dropped to 2-1-0.
Jets Vs Penguins: How It Unfolded
Pittsburgh controlled the scoreless first period and broke through in the second when Kindel tipped home a shot at 9:27, assisted by Carlile and Erik Karlsson, making it 1-0.
The third period turned into a scoring flurry. Iafallo tied the game with a wrist shot at 4:43, then set up Adam Lowry’s backhand goal just over two minutes later to put Winnipeg ahead 2-1. Carlile answered for Pittsburgh at 8:53 off assists from Kindel and Ville Koivunen, tying it at 2-2.
The tie lasted only nine seconds. Perfetti beat Sergei Murashov with a snap shot at 9:02, assisted by Josh Morrissey, for the eventual game-winner.
Top Performers
Iafallo led Winnipeg with a goal and an assist for two points, and Jets goaltender Clay Stevenson stopped 30 of 32 shots for a .938 save percentage. Morrissey logged an assist and led all skaters with 23:50 of ice time, while Dylan DeMelo also picked up an assist.
Carlile paced Pittsburgh with a goal and an assist, and Kindel had a goal and an assist as well. Murashov made 31 saves on 34 shots in net for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby won 15 of 21 faceoffs but was held off the scoresheet.
What It Means
Winnipeg moved to 5 points through three games, sitting atop the Central Division standings ahead of Colorado, Minnesota and Utah, who each have 4 points. The Jets also took a 1-0 lead in the season series against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh fell to 4 points in the Metropolitan Division, trailing only the New York Rangers, who lead the division with 6 points. The loss snapped the Penguins’ momentum after their first two games of the season.
What’s Next
Both teams continue their young seasons with matchups still to be scheduled following Monday’s result. The Jets will look to build on a 2-0-1 start, while the Penguins try to bounce back after dropping to 2-1-0. Winnipeg’s strong start has them competing in the Central Division race.
Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).
