Hellebuyck, Jets beat Penguins to end 5-game losing streak

Brian Rust scored a goal and Tristan Jarry made 29 saves for the Penguins (23-19-7) in a 3-2 loss at the Minnesota Wild on Friday. Sidney Crosby ended his nine-game point streak (six goals, five assists).

“We didn't set the game we wanted to play,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “I think we didn't have the urgency we needed to have in the beginning and I don't think we played as smart as we should have. So we're not ready to play a game that we should win. I thought we answered in the second stage. I thought we played hard, but we chased the game.”

Scheifele gave the Jets a 1-0 lead at 10:20 of the first period. Ehlers intercepted Jake Guentzel's pass in the defensive zone, slid into a 2-on-1 and passed to Scheifele for a one-timer from the left circle.

“Oh, they were flying,” Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said of the line of Scheifele, Ehlers and Kyle Connor. “Look at the possibilities. We are coming in one by one, separately, 2 to 1 standing upright. So a win should help us. Eventually those pucks, those pucks start coming in for us.”

Niederreiter made it 2-0 at 15:39 of the first, a backhanded goal near the right post after Nate Schmidt's one-timer bounced off the end boards.

It was Niederreiter's first goal since December 30 (16 games).

“I'm trying to get as good (a clean sheet) as possible. It's not easy to get there.” Niederreiter said. “But once you're there, the pucks are delivered and it's just a matter of time. But I'm glad I found someone tonight. … I know (Schmidt) tried to beat him. I understood with him, he rushed to the line, and there was a lot of traffic in front of him. He bypassed them and luckily got in later.”