The Winnipeg Jets (4-3-0) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (6-3-1) at the PPG Paints Arena for a 5pm MT start.
JETS LINEUP
Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler
Nikolaj Ehlers-Bryan Little-Patrik Laine
Brandon Tanev-Andrew Copp-Shawn Matthias
Brendan Lemieux-Matt Hendricks-Joel Armia
Josh Morrissey-Jacob Trouba
Tobias Enstrom-Dustin Byfuglien
Dmitry Kulikov-Tyler Myers
THE JETS LATELY
The Jets return to the ice for the first time in six days when they face off against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The lengthy break came at a good time for the Jets as the break allowed them to get a little healthier.
Defenceman Tyler Myers missed a couple practices with a minor injury, but returned to the ice a few days ago. Veteran Matt Hendricks began taking line rushes on a regular basis, and Adam Lowry will travel with the team on the upcoming road trip.
Right winger Nic Petan was assigned to the Manitoba Moose yesterday after Matt Hendricks was activated from the IR. Hendricks is expected to make his Jets debut centring rookie Brendan Lemieux and Joel Armia.
The Jets last faced off against the Minnesota Wild on October 20, where they walked away with a 4-3 victory on the back of Patrik Laine’s duo of goals, and Blake Wheeler’s game winning tally 13:14 into the final period.
Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 24 shots to record his fourth victory of the season.
MATCHUP
The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Jets coming off a 2-1 overtime victory over the struggling Edmonton Oilers. The victory was a solid bounce back game following a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This is the first meeting between the Jets and the Penguins this season, and the Jets will be looking for revenge on last year’s season series. The Penguins won both games last season by scores of 7-4 and 4-3.
The last game these two clubs played resulted in a an entertaining, goal-heavy affair that resembled that of a rival matchup. The biggest headline to come out of the game was the fight between Jets captain Blake Wheeler and Pens superstar Evgeni Malkin.
The Penguins will be without defenceman Justin Schultz, as he was placed on the IR with a concussion. Frank Corrado was recalled to take his place.
The Penguins will also have a new face in the backup goalie position as Casey DeSmith takes over for Antti Niemi, who was claimed off waivers by the Florida Panthers.
PREDICTION FOR TONIGHT
The Jets will be well rested, so they shouldn’t have any issues producing offence. The Penguins however will be more in a groove and that will ultimately lead to a victory over the Jets.
Kyle Connor, Patrik Laine and Shawn Matthias tally for Winnipeg but the Jets fall to the Penguins 5-3.