Penguins Empty Jets Fuel
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh and Winnipeg had some cheap play in the last meeting against each other. Justin Schultz and Olli Maatta were injured because of it. What would happen in an encore? The Penguins defeated the Jets 7 to 4.
At the 16:27 mark in the first period, Evgeni Malkin and Blake Wheeler dropped the gloves. Two seconds later, Chris Thorburn and Tom Sestito dropped the gloves. That was only the beginning.
Shawn Matthias scored the first goal of the game for the Jets. 25 seconds later, Nick Bonino tied the game at 1. Nikolaj Ehlers made it 2 to 1 Jets a few minutes later. Evgeni Malkin scored a few minutes later for the Penguins to tie the game at 2.
With 6:50 left in the period, Tom Sestito was called for a boarding penalty on Toby Enstrom. Sestito was tossed. Dustin Byfuglien scored the third goal of the period for the Jets.
In the second period, Pittsburgh scored two power-play goals in a row by Justin Schultz and Nick Bonino. The crowd noise evaporated in the building. Malkin scored his second goal of the game later in the period. Malkin had a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
After Malkin scored, Connor Hellebuyck was pulled in favor of Michael Hutchinson. Hellebuyck made 10 saves and Hutchinson made 15 saves. Nick Bonino scored his third goal of the game on the power play.
In the third period, Jake Guentzel scored for Pittsburgh and Marko Dano scored for Winnipeg. Matt Murray made 31 saves after struggling in the first period. The Penguins swept the season series from the Jets.
