If Penguins fans forgot how their team, comprised of several elite players, lost in six games to the Philadelphia Flyers last April, this game served as a reminder. After going up 2-0 in the first period, the Penguins allowed four straight goals, including three in the second period, as the Winnipeg Jets skated away with a 4-2 victory.
The game reflected the same issues the Penguins had in the playoffs last season; blowing leads, turning the puck over in the defensive zone, and abandoning defensive responsibilities.
For Jets fans, it was a thrilling game all around. Sidney Crosby made his Winnipeg debut and put on a show, scoring both Penguin goals early in the game. Then, the Jets came back allowing their fans to enjoy taunting the same player they just admired.
Sidney Crosby made his first mark just 4:26 into the first period. Chris Kunitz won a puck battle along the boards and fed Crosby in the slot. Crosby’s snapshot appeared to hit defenseman Grant Clintsome before deflecting past Ondrej Pavelec.
Ten minutes later, Crosby scored again to put the Penguins up 2-0. Matt Niskanen cleared a puck off the boards in the defensive zone which sprung Crosby for a two on one with Pascal Dupuis. After delaying inside one of the face off circles, Crosby cut across the middle before backhanding a shot through the five-hole of Pavelec.
Unfortunately, the Jets would take over from there.
Building off of their sustained pressure in the Penguins’ zone at the end of the first period, the Jets got a quick goal 1:10 into the second from Evander Kane. Matt Cooke turned the puck over in the neutral zone allowing Blake Wheeler to dish a pass to Dustin Byfuglien along the half boards. Byfuglien then dropped a pass back to Wheeler who fed a cross-ice pass to Kane for the quick score.
The Penguins had a power play chance later in the period but a hooking penalty on Malkin resulted in a brief 4 on 4 situation. After Olli Jokinen came out of the box, Dustin Byfuglien tied the game. The 6’5, 265 pound defenseman got a return pass from Tobias Enstrom and rocketed a slap shot past Tomas Vokoun who was screened by 6’5 forward, Nik Antropov.
As the second period progressed, the ice titled in favor of Winnipeg. They outshot the Penguins, had more quality scoring chances, and took advantage of ten takeaways. All of this translated into a third goal late in the period by Andrew Ladd.
Ben Lovejoy’s pass bounced off of James Neal at the point and resulted in one of nine giveaway by the Penguins. Bryan Little took the puck and powered his way towards the net before dishing a pass to Ladd for a wide open chance.
The forgotten hero in this game was Ondrej Pavelec who made back to back saves on Evgeni Malkin and shut down the Penguins after a weak showing in the first period. The Jets blocked 17 shots, but Pavelec still stopped 33 as the Penguins aggressively pursued the equalizer.
In the end, the Jets were able to hang on as Blake Wheeler put the game away with an empty net goal with just over a minute remaining.
- The Penguins have gone 121:52 without a goal from players not name Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby.
- After drawing 13 power plays in their first three games, the Penguins only had one power play vs. Winnipeg.
- Brandon Sutter was 3 for 13 in the face off circle.
Three Stars
- Evander Kane
- Andrew Ladd
- Dustin Byfuglien
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
