Three things – a great start will help the Jets win

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets ended a five game winless streak with a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight. Winnipeg (31-14-5) moved within one point of Colorado State for second place in the Central. Their 31 wins through 50 games in a season (31 in 2022-23) is the second most since 2018-19 (32). Mark Scheifele and Nino Neiderreiter scored for the Jets, and Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves. Winnipeg returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts San Jose.

START

Considering they trailed 3-0 after 20 minutes in their last game in Philadelphia, it was crucial for the Jets to get off to a good start tonight. Winnipeg had several amazing scoring chances until Nikolaj Ehlers passed to Mark Scheifele, who scored the game's first goal at 2:1.

“It was huge to come out like we did. I think we played very well in the first period. We skated and worked hard. I think we shot the puck and made it difficult for them to get anything in our zone,” Ehlers said.

“But the second period was obviously not enough. In the third period we came back and got two points, which is huge.