Niederreiter finds the net again

“Mute” in his previous six outings, Nino Niederreiter scored his 8th goal of the season, the first since a double on Nov. 5 against Utah, just 82 seconds into the game. In the castle, El Nino inherited a puck dropped by Evgeni Malkin and deceived Tristan Jarry with a backhand after a body feint.

The Jets scored the first three goals in this encounter, with their goaltender Connor Hellebuyck facing just 18 shots on goal. Pittsburgh scored the hopeful goal in the 46th on a power play, but Kyle Connor sealed the scoring in an empty cage with 71 seconds left.

Best team at the start of the season with 34 points, 5 more than its closest pursuer Minnesota, Winnipeg won the ten games in which it opened the scoring. Pittsburgh goalkeeper Tristan Jarry conceded for the fourth time this season on the first shot on goal he faced…