Pearson breaks tie in 3rd period, Jets rally past Devils

WINNIPEG -- Tanner Pearson scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, and the Winnipeg Jets rallied for a 4-3 win against the New Jersey Devils at Canada Life Centre on Sunday.

“I think we’re keeping it simple, trying to be responsible defensively, and let that kind of lead to our chances,” Pearson said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of speed there, and I’m trying to keep up (with) those two (linemates Cole Koepke and Danil Zhilkin). It’s just simple hockey. Try not to force too many things, try to wear [the Devils] down.”

Pearson put the Jets ahead 4-3 at 6:17 of the third period, sliding the puck under Devils goalie Jake Allen from the crease after receiving a pass from Josh Morrissey from just below the goal line.

“[Koepke] made a good play at the blue line there,” Pearson said. “I opened up first, and with [Morrissey] going wide, with how we were scoring goals today, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to go to the paint there. It was a nice play by him.”

Jonathan Toews, Gabriel Vilardi and Alex Iafallo also scored, Cole Perfetti and Morrissey each had two assists, and Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves for the Jets (17-22-5), who have won two straight after losing their previous 11 (0-7-4).

“The play [Morrissey] makes to [Pearson] there, not a lot of guys make that play in this League,” Perfetti said. “He's special with the puck, and then obviously without the puck he takes real great pride in his defending. It's annoying to go against him in practice because he's a great defender as well, and he always gets credit for his offense, but I think his defensive game is pretty incredible, and you see that tonight.”

Cody Glass scored twice, Luke Hughes and Jack Hughes each had two assists, and Allen made 18 saves for the Devils (22-21-2), who have lost four in a row.

“Today, when we're in a position to win, we’re exposed,” New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We had some guys that had real tough games here today that made some plays that could really cost us. … Too many, whether it's just soft around our net or losing structure at key times, just not good enough. There were enough good things that put (us) in a position to win, but too many mistakes that hurt you defensively. It's hard to win like that.”

New Jersey has been outscored 20-5 during its losing streak.

“Offense wasn't an issue today,” Keefe said. “We had more than enough to win. It's just another example of why we've got to keep reaching the process and the defensive structure, defensive play, awareness, physicality, (and) competitiveness around our net.”

Iafallo gave the Jets a 1-0 lead at 18:50 of the first period, putting in his own rebound as it bounced in the slot.

“We just come off of the other night (a 5-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Friday), finally winning that game to break the streak,” Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said. “To me, it had everything lined up for it to be that type of game, and we didn’t look like we had a whole lot of energy in the tank, and when there is nothing in your legs, it goes to your hands and it goes to your head sometimes. But I really liked the way, especially in the third period, where we hunkered down. We gained zones, we got it in their end, and we did the right things to stay on the right side of that score sheet.”

Nico Hischier responded 37 seconds later to tie it 1-1 at 19:27. He jammed the rebound of Luke Hughes' shot from the left face-off dot through Hellebuyck's pads in the crease.

“We did to them on the first goal what they kind of did to us on the other,” Devils forward Jesper Bratt said. “We kind of responded quick to a goal against, and I think that's where we did good in the first period. I mean, as soon as we let in a goal, we just come back on our horse. We went to work.”

Glass put the Devils in front 2-1 at 1:05 of the second period, finishing a drive to the net after receiving a cross-ice pass from Luke Hughes.

“We did it to ourselves,” Glass said. “In the third, we just weren’t making the right plays, not the right reads, we weren’t connected. But in the first and second periods we did that. And that’s why it’s frustrating that it went away in the third. … That’s kind of what bit us. It [stinks], but we have to play more consistent hockey.”

Toews tied it 2-2 at 2:36. After creating a turnover at Winnipeg's blue line that sent Perfetti in on a breakaway, Toews then jammed in the loose puck in the crease after Perfetti's shot hit the crossbar.

“I knew it hit the crossbar, but I thought it went bar down and out,” Perfetti said. “I didn't think it went in right away because I was looking at the ref. We were looking at each other, like, I don't think it went in. So, just happy [Toews] was there to clean it up.”

Jonas Siegenthaler appeared to put the Devils ahead 3-2 at 3:28 with a shot from the slot following a scramble in front. The Jets challenged for goaltender interference, and the play was overturned after a video review determined New Jersey forward Paul Cotter made incidental contact with Hellebuyck in the crease that impaired the goaltender’s ability to play his position.

However, Glass did give the Devils the lead back when he scored his second of the game at 8:08. He collected a rebound and scored with a quick wrist shot from the bottom of the right circle.

“Playing in front of my family is always a dream come true for me,” said Glass, who is from Winnipeg. “I never take playing in the NHL for granted, especially in front of them. I’ve dreamt of playing the Jets or of just being here, so it’s a dream come true. But it just [stinks] not being able to win in front of them.”

Vilardi tied it 3-3 at 17:57. Perfetti’s backhand attempt from the side of the net hit the post, and Vilardi batted in the loose puck behind Allen as the goaltender swiped at it with his glove.

“I think that game was pretty sloppy for two periods both ways, and both goaltenders were under a barrage there,” Arniel said. “But just the fact we came out in the third period recognizing that (it’s) 3-3 at home, just go out and play a period and put the chips on the table, and I thought we did a good job of that. We didn’t give up much, and our fourth line (Pearson, Koepke and Zhilkin) scored a big goal.”

Jets defenseman Colin Miller left the game and did not return for the second period.

“When he fell, obviously lower body, he fell in and hurt himself there,” Arniel said. “He came in and tried to skate (before) the start of the second. Didn’t feel very good, so we’ll reevaluate him tomorrow.”

NOTES: Luke Hughes played in his 200th NHL game. … New Jersey defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic had an assist and blocked two shots in 18:14 of ice time in his season debut following offseason knee surgery. … Morrissey got his 89th career multipoint game, tying Dustin Byfuglien for the most by a defenseman in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history.