PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins (2-1-0) had a case of the Mondays against the Winnipeg Jets (2-0-1) at PPG Paints Arena, losing 3-2. The Jets, who played in Detroit on Sunday, started a backup goalie they had just claimed on waivers, so it seemed the Penguins had a huge advantage going in, but that did not prove to be the case. The Penguins allowed three third-period goals to suffer their first defeat of the season in what was a rather listless effort from the team in black and gold. Turnovers and an overall lack of compete were the theme of the night for the Penguins.
The first period was scoreless, but not for a lack of action, mostly in the Penguins’ defensive zone. Sergei Murashov was busy in his first period of action this season, particularly late in the frame when the Jets got eight consecutive shots, many of which required Murashov to make 10-bell saves. When the horn sounded to end the first period, the Jets had outshot the Penguins 12-11, and they also had the far superior scoring chances.
The second frame was slightly better for the Penguins, but it was still far from their best work. They outshot the Jets 10-8 and killed off Winnipeg’s only power-play opportunity of the game, but barely generated any scoring opportunites. Murashov was sharp again and was also helped by two Jets shots that hit the post, one in the first minute of the period and one in the last.
The third period is when it all unraveled. The Jets scored three times in a span of less than five minutes, taking advantage of several gaffes and giveaways to secure a 3-2 victory.
GOAL RECAP
1-0 Penguins: At 9:27 of the second, the Penguins broke the stalemate. Ben Kindel (2), positioned in the high slot, masterfully tipped a Declan Carlile wrist shot from the left boards. Initially, the goal was disallowed on the ice for a high stick, but after video review it was determined that Kindel’s stick was below the crossbar when it came into contact with the puck.
1-1: The Jets finally solved Murashov at 4:43 of the third. Murashov made an initial right-pad save on an Isak Rosen slap shot, but the rebound kicked out wildly to the stick of Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson. Karlsson then inadvertently tapped the puck right to Winnipeg forward Alex Iafallo (1), stationed at the right post, who easily tapped it past Murashov.
2-1 Winnipeg: Nick Robertson pulled the puck out over the blue line, but he was then hit and pulled the puck back into the Penguins’ zone, which kept the play onside. With Robertson down and out, Iafallo grabbed the loose puck and streaked toward the Penguins’ net, wristing a shot on Murashov. The rebound sat to Murashov’s right for an easy tap-in by Adam Lowry (1) at 7:08 of the third.
2-2: At 8:53 of the third, the Penguins’ production from their defensemen continued. Carlile set up the Penguins’ first goal, and then scored their second. Kindel made a slick one-touch pass to Carlile (2) in the slot, and he wristed it past Jets netminder Clay Stevenson. The goal already established a new career high for points in a season for Carlile with four.
3-2 Winnipeg: Any momentum the Penguins gained from tying the game was very short-lived, as just nine seconds later, off the ensuing faceoff, the Jets stripped Kindel of the puck near center ice and quickly transitioned into the Penguins’ zone. Cole Perfetti (2) blasted a slap shot past Murashov at 9:02 off a beautiful pass from defenseman Josh Morrissey, who put the puck right in his wheelhouse.
Line Combinations
The Penguins’ line combinations and defensive pairings were as follows:
Forwards:
Nick Robertson – Sidney Crosby – Rickard Rakell
Egor Chinakhov – Tommy Novak – Evgeni Malkin
Andrei Kuzmenko – Ben Kindel – Ville Koivunen
Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Hendrix Lapierre
Defensemen:
Declan Carlile – Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard – Kaedan Korczak
Trevor van Riemsdyk – Kris Letang
Scratches for the Penguins were forwards Filip Hallander and Elmer Soderblom and defenseman Ilya Solovyov.
Game Notes
The Penguins now lead the NHL in points by defensemen with 17, three more than Vancouver’s 14.
The Penguins had 22 giveaways, including four by Sidney Crosby and three each by Tommy Novak, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson.
The Penguins’ power-play was 0-2, while the penalty kill was 1-1.
It was dollar dog night and the Penguins sold over 20,000 hot dogs.
Tags:ben kindel erik karlsson Penguins Postgame Pittsburgh Penguins sergei murashov Sidney Crosby Vince Comunale
Categorized:Pittsburgh Penguins