Penguins’ struggles continue as Kyle Connor, NHL-best Jets dominate
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Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan gives instruction to Sam Poulin (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Bryan Rust (17) is defended by Winnipeg Jets' Rasmus Kupari (15) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi (13) celebrates with Mark Scheifele (55) after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Winnipeg Jets' Vladislav Namestnikov (7) returns to the bench after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) is defended by Winnipeg Jets' Dylan Samberg (54) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Winnipeg Jets' Nino Niederreiter (62) celebrates after his goal with Adam Lowry (17) and Mason Appleton (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Sam Poulin (22) cannot get off a shot in front of Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, back, and Colin Miller (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Winnipeg Jets' Vladislav Namestnikov (7) celebrates with Nikolaj Ehlers (27) and Neal Pionk (4) after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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A shot by Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi gets past Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) for a goal during the second period Friday in Pittsburgh. Associated Press
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Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi (13) returns to the bench after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
PITTSBURGH — Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist, and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 Friday night.
Connor became the third player in Jets history to record at least 25 points through 20 games in a season. Gabriel Vilardi scored a power-play goal, while Nino Niederreiter and Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for the Jets, who built a 3-0 lead through two periods.
Winnipeg equaled the second-most wins (17) by any franchise through the first 20 games of a season. The Jets are 10-0 when scoring first.
Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 17 shots, has a league-best 14 wins in 16 games. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner also ranks among the NHL leaders in goals-against average and save percentage.
Michael Bunting scored a power-play goal in the third period for Pittsburgh. Tristan Jarry made 26 saves.
Jets: Have won 17 of 20 games to start the season. They won 15 of their first 16 games before a brief two-game skid against Tampa Bay and Florida in which they were outscored 9-1. It appears Winnipeg is back on track following wins against Florida and Pittsburgh.
Penguins: Lost for the fifth time in six games. Pittsburgh has dropped 13 of its last 17 overall.
Niederreiter scored in the first 90 seconds of the game and Vilardi gave the Jets a 3-0 lead in the final minute of the second period. Niederreiter took advantage of a Pittsburgh turnover behind the net and Vilardi scored on a wide-open one-timer from between the circles.
The Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise won for just the third time in 23 road games against Pittsburgh dating back to March 24, 2007.
The Penguins host Utah on Saturday.
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