The Pittsburgh Penguins fall to 3-4 on the season after a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday afternoon, October 20, 2024. The Jets remain undefeated on the season with a 5-0 record.
The Penguins fixed some lingering problems that have plagued them early in the season, but it was not enough against a confident and powerful Jets team.
This is the beginning of a four-game Canadian/Western swing with the next game slated for 9:30 PM ET on Tuesday night in Calgary against the 4-0-1 Flames.
Penguins fixed some issues against the Jets but still came up short
The Penguins started slowly in many of the first six games, falling behind early. That was not the case on Sunday when the team built a 2-0 lead against the Jets in the second period. The Jets quickly answered with three goals in the same period so the lead and momentum swung quickly.
HAYES! 🚨
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 20, 2024
The Penguins take the 1-0 lead on the power play just 1:29 into the 2nd period. pic.twitter.com/PBGCIotlqh
Another issue that has plagued the Penguins, dating back to last season, is the inability to score on power plays. On Sunday, the team scored a goal in its only power play. Equally impressive, the Penguins shut out the Jets in their two power plays.
Welcome back, Ned!
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 20, 2024
Also, there have been a few changes to the forward line combos from last game. pic.twitter.com/HfVO3HQztZ
The goalie situation was also resolved with veteran Alex Nedeljkovic making his 2024 season debut after dealing with a preseason injury that required a brief conditioning assignment at Wilkes Barre/Scranton on Friday. Nedeljkovic saved 31 of 36 shots, giving up five goals. (One of Winnipeg's goals was in an empty net.) Before Ned's return, Tristan Jarry and Joel Blomqvist handled the goalie duties with Blomqvist being the steadier.
Conclusion
The Penguins lost two straight to Carolina and Winnipeg. Going below .500 is not where the team wants to be as it continues this challenging Canadian/West Coast swing. Sunday's loss drops the Penguins from third to fifth place in the Metropolitan Division trailing the 5-2-1 New Jersey Devils, 4-0-1 New York Rangers, 3-1 Washington Capitals, and 2-1-2 New York Islanders.
Coach Sullivan: "From an effort standpoint, I thought our team played really hard. I think we've got to play a little smarter. And that's on all of us to try to cure some of those areas." pic.twitter.com/joveER87b6
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 20, 2024
As Coach Sullivan said in his postgame press conference, the effort was there against the Jets, but the Penguins needed to play smarter.