“A mental game more than it was a physical one” ARNIEL

“That was a mental game more than it was a physical one,” Scott Arniel said of his message after the second period of Winnipeg’s 3–2 win over Pittsburgh on October 5.

In the Jets’ posted postgame interview, Arniel was asked why he had changed the lines for the third period. He cited three games in four nights and said he wanted a different feel and four balanced lines he could keep using.

Arniel said the Jets had not been getting pucks below the goal line against Pittsburgh’s transition game. He credited better adherence to their structure in the third period and getting the Penguins to play in their own end.

Winnipeg trailed 1–0 entering the third. Alex Iafallo and Adam Lowry put the Jets ahead before Declan Carlile tied it at 8:53. Cole Perfetti scored nine seconds later, and his goal stood as the winner. Clay Stevenson made 30 saves for Winnipeg.

Penguins coach Dan Muse was asked whether his team’s attack had stalled around the blue lines. He said Pittsburgh could have gotten back quicker and provided better support against Winnipeg’s pressure. He distinguished decisions with the puck from the options teammates supplied.

“Some of it’s the play with the puck and some of it’s also the options that we’re working to create,” Muse said.