PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* ICE BREAKER >> 5-1-1 NHL Run!
(NHL) Pittsburgh vs. Winnipeg,
Money Line: 100.00 Pittsburgh (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: 100.00 Pittsburgh (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Winnipeg Jets dropped a 2-1 OT decision at Pittsburgh on Thursday and lost by the same score at Columbus one night later, also in OT. That gives the 4-3-2 Jets at least a point in six of their last seven games and tonight at home, will have a chance at some revenge, as the 7-4-1 Pittsburgh Penguins visit at Bell MTS Place. The two--time defending champs fell 2-1 at Minnesota last night and while they've opened 4-0-1 at home, they are only 3-4-0 on the road.
Pittsburgh: Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel both boast 12 points to lead the team, while captain Sidney Crosby is next with 11. Defenseman Kris Letang notched an assist against Minnesota to push his season total to seven points but the former All-Star is a minus-11 in the first 12 contests. Head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters he will make the decision on his starting goalie Sunday between backup Casey DeSmith and No. 1 Matt Murray (only four goals allowed last three games). However, No. 1 goaltender Matt Murray started Saturday night's game in St. Paul and suffered his first regulation loss of the year, so there's a good chance Sullivan may want to see what he has in DeSmith, while playing back-to-back nights on the road.
Winnipeg: Speaking of the Jets' back-to-back OT losses thsi week, Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler told reporters, "We had the right mindset. Thursday was a tough one. Friday was a tough one. We had ‘em where we wanted ‘em. Tough back-to-back. … I think that's a pretty good situation. It's just too bad we weren't able to close ‘em out." The Jets gave up an average of 36.5 shots in the two overtime losses and hope to give their goalie a little easier night against the Penguins. Steve Mason was brought in as a free agent to be the No. 1 goaliea nd he stopped 35 of 37 shots in the loss to Columbus, his best start of the season after allowing 16 goals in his first three outings. "He played great," Wheeler told reporters. "I think we finally gave him a fighting chance. … There were a couple of times in the first period we were stuck in there and he battled hard for us." Left wing Nikolaj Ehlers has been kept off the scoresheet in the last two games after notching all six of his team-leading goals in the previous five contests.
The pick: The above all sounds good for Winnipeg but the Penguins have scored 17 goals while winning their last four meetings with the Jets. Steve Mason has struggled to an 0-3-1 record in four starts but is coming off a solid outing against Columbus. Still, it's expected that Winnipeg will likely turn to Connor Hellebuyck, who has gone 4-0-1 in his five starts this season (2.25 GAA & .931 SP). The goalies are not known for sure at this time but either way, the Pens are the 10* play.
Pittsburgh: Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel both boast 12 points to lead the team, while captain Sidney Crosby is next with 11. Defenseman Kris Letang notched an assist against Minnesota to push his season total to seven points but the former All-Star is a minus-11 in the first 12 contests. Head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters he will make the decision on his starting goalie Sunday between backup Casey DeSmith and No. 1 Matt Murray (only four goals allowed last three games). However, No. 1 goaltender Matt Murray started Saturday night's game in St. Paul and suffered his first regulation loss of the year, so there's a good chance Sullivan may want to see what he has in DeSmith, while playing back-to-back nights on the road.
Winnipeg: Speaking of the Jets' back-to-back OT losses thsi week, Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler told reporters, "We had the right mindset. Thursday was a tough one. Friday was a tough one. We had ‘em where we wanted ‘em. Tough back-to-back. … I think that's a pretty good situation. It's just too bad we weren't able to close ‘em out." The Jets gave up an average of 36.5 shots in the two overtime losses and hope to give their goalie a little easier night against the Penguins. Steve Mason was brought in as a free agent to be the No. 1 goaliea nd he stopped 35 of 37 shots in the loss to Columbus, his best start of the season after allowing 16 goals in his first three outings. "He played great," Wheeler told reporters. "I think we finally gave him a fighting chance. … There were a couple of times in the first period we were stuck in there and he battled hard for us." Left wing Nikolaj Ehlers has been kept off the scoresheet in the last two games after notching all six of his team-leading goals in the previous five contests.
The pick: The above all sounds good for Winnipeg but the Penguins have scored 17 goals while winning their last four meetings with the Jets. Steve Mason has struggled to an 0-3-1 record in four starts but is coming off a solid outing against Columbus. Still, it's expected that Winnipeg will likely turn to Connor Hellebuyck, who has gone 4-0-1 in his five starts this season (2.25 GAA & .931 SP). The goalies are not known for sure at this time but either way, the Pens are the 10* play.