Winnipeg Jets continued their incredible start to the season, pulling away in the third period to secure a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Canada Life Centre on Sunday. With this win, the Jets extend their unbeaten streak to five games, solidifying their position as the only undefeated team in the NHL.
Adam Lowry netted the game-winning goal early in the third period, helping Winnipeg rally after trailing 2-0 in the second period. The Jets’ offense came alive with three goals in just over seven minutes to turn the game around.
Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Vladislav Namestnikov all scored for the Jets (5-0-0), while goaltender Eric Comrie was stellar in his season debut, making 39 saves to keep Pittsburgh at bay.
For the Penguins (3-4-0), Lars Eller scored twice, and Kevin Hayes added a power-play goal. Alex Nedeljkovic, playing in his first game of the season after being recalled from injury, made 31 saves but couldn’t stop the Jets’ relentless attack in the final period.
Game Recap:
The Penguins took a 1-0 lead early in the second period when Hayes capitalized on a cross-slot pass from Rickard Rakell for a power-play goal at 1:30. Eller doubled the lead at 5:21, burying a rebound off an Erik Karlsson shot.
But Winnipeg responded in force. Connor cut the deficit to 2-1 at 12:18 during a 6-on-5 advantage from a delayed penalty, setting the stage for the Jets’ comeback. Scheifele then tied the game at 17:36 by pouncing on a rebound, and Namestnikov put Winnipeg ahead 3-2 just before the period ended with a slick redirection off a Nikolaj Ehlers pass.
Eller tied the game 3-3 early in the third with a sharp-angle shot that beat Comrie on the glove side, but it wasn’t enough to stop Winnipeg’s momentum. Lowry scored the eventual game-winner at 4:20, tapping in a perfect pass from Mason Appleton. Appleton himself extended the lead to 5-3 at 7:41, and Nino Niederreiter sealed the deal with an empty-netter in the closing moments.
Is Winnipeg the Best Team in the NHL Right Now?
With five consecutive wins to start the season, the Jets are proving to be a formidable force. Their balanced attack, solid goaltending, and resilience in coming from behind raise the question: Are the Winnipeg Jets the best team in the NHL right now? As they remain the only undefeated team in the league, their early-season dominance is turning heads and setting the stage for what could be a special season.
With another impressive win under their belts, the Jets are showing no signs of slowing down. Could this be the year Winnipeg takes the next step towards a championship? Time will tell, but for now, they’re riding high atop the NHL standings.
