The Pittsburgh Penguins (8-2-1) will take on the Winnipeg Jets (7-5-1) tonight at 8 PM EST. Pittsburgh is currently riding a five game win streak and looks to extended the streak against the surprisingly competitive Jets.
It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins are the hottest team in the league. The Penguins are getting it done in all three phases presently, the powerplay is operating at a lethal 41.3%, the penalty kill has not let up a goal in over five games and Pittsburgh’s talented stars are dominating at even strength.
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Winnipeg is almost annually projected to be bad and why should we not assume that? They have been one of the many consistently mediocre teams in the league. This season started the same way, the Jets went 1-4 in their first five games played. However, since the slow start they have turned it around, in their last ten games Winnipeg is 6-3-1. Additionally the Winnipeg Jets enter this game playing their best hockey of the season, in their previous six games, they have gone 5-0-1.
Last season the Pittsburgh Penguins swept the series and outscored the Winnipeg Jets 10-7. The game tonight is their first meeting of the season and Pittsburgh undoubtedly has the mental edge in this matchup. Having won their last five, while outscoring their opponents 23-4, Pittsburgh will want to their high octane offense rolling.
Breaking news came out of Pittsburgh this morning, Penguins netminder Marc-Andre Fleury was awarded a four year extension worth $5.75 annually. A big reason the Pittsburgh Penguins have been playing so well is Fleury. Through nine games “the flower” has stopped 93.1% of shots and allowed an average of 1.89 goals per game.
On paper the Pittsburgh Penguins should dominate, especially given the Winnipeg Jets anemic offensive production (1.85 goals per game).
However, both teams are playing extremely well and only one streak can continue tonight. Personally I would like to believe the Pittsburgh Penguins can leave Winnipeg with another win, but you should never discount an underdog.