Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves as the Jets beat the Penguins 2-1 to snap a five-game losing streak.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Saturday night to end a five-game losing streak.

Nino Niederreiter and Mark Scheifele scored to help Winnipeg avenge a 3-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

“It's all about winning hockey games now,” Niederreiter said. “Obviously, when you're going to push and put yourself in a great position for the playoffs, you've got to make sure you're winning close hockey games.”

Brian Rust scored a goal and Tristan Jarry made 29 saves for Pittsburgh.

“They're two great goaltenders, and Bucky is obviously at the top of it,” Niederreiter said. “He helped us get a big win in the second period. They pushed hard and we let them play. But then we got back to third place.”

The Penguins made it 2-1 late in the second period when Rust put a rebound past Hellebuyck from Erik Karlsson.

“We didn't set up the game we wanted to play,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We gave up, I don't know how many people rush in the first half. We were careless with the puck. It's not a game that helps you win.”

Winnipeg made it 2-0 with 4:31 left in the first period when Niederreiter put a rebound past Jarry from the side of the net.

The Jets opened the scoring midway through the first. Scheifele beat Jarry on a 2-on-1 pass from Nikolaj Ehlers.

“Obviously, we didn't start the game the way we needed to,” Pittsburgh defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “The first period cost us dearly today. It's difficult when you score only one goal. The pitchers pitched great for us.”

Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby ended his nine-game hitting streak.

NEXT UP

Penguins: Host Florida on Wednesday night.

Jets: San Jose hosts on Wednesday night.

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL