GDT: Jets aim to fly high over stupid, flightless birds

Tonight the Winnipeg Jets test their new found commitment to team defense by taking on the leagues leading offensive juggernaut, Pittsburgh Penguins. The Jets are riding high, but this will be a new test. Can Winnipeg help regression kick in and keep their long run title as streak busters? Or will they be exiled for singing the wrong song and having happy feet?

The game is being broadcast on TSN3 and can be heard on TSN 1290. Puck drop is at 7:00.

Lineups

Winnipeg Jets

Andrew Ladd - Bryan Little - Michael Frolik

Evander Kane - Mark Scheifele - Blake Wheeler

Mathieu Perreault - Adam Lowry - Dustin Byfuglien

TJ Galiardi - Jim Slater - Chris Thorburn

Tobias Enstrom - Zach Bogosian

Mark Stuart - Jacob Trouba

Grant Clitsome - Paul Postma

Ondrej Pavelec

Michael Hutchinson

Scratched: Matt Halischuk, Adam Pardy

Injured: Anthony Peluso (upper body)

Pittsburgh Penguins

Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist

Pascal Dupuis - Evgeni Malkin - Blake Comeau

Nick Spaling - Brandon Sutter - Steve Downie

Zach Sill - Marcel Goc - Craig Adams

Paul Martin - Kris Letang

Christian Ehrhoff - Robert Bortuzzo

Rob Scuderi - Simon Despres

Marc Andre Fleury

Thomas Greiss

Player to Watch

Bryan Little will likely be tasked with slowing down Mr. Crosby. That isn't an easy task and frankly isn't one he is likely to succeed at. BUT Bryan Little can still score goals. If Little and his line can break even with the Crosby line on the score sheet, possession be damned, the Jets will have a chance.

Granted, the Pens will still have the Malkin, but the Pens roster really isn't deep. Blake Comeau next to Geno? Really? He has had early success, but he is no world beater. Where the Jets could win the battle is on the third line, where Dustin Byfuglien and Mathieu Perreault.