Time: 6:00 PM CST
Channel: TSN3
Radio: CJOB
The Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins will play tonight in a game that should be a good test for the Jets against the inconsistent Penguins. The Jets are on the second half of a back to back after playing (and winning) last night in Buffalo.
The Penguins are still the team that they’ve always been since drafting Sidney Crosby in 2005. Crosby is probably the most remarkably consistent player in the NHL offensively and is still scoring at over a point per game pace. Evgeni Malkin is not as remarkable as Crosby, but is still a player the Jets need to be aware of. From what I have gathered, the Pens bottom six is still a problem for them as they have been on and off since 2005.
The Jets are looking for more from all their forward lines minus their top trio of Kyle Connor, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Nikolaj Ehlers. While Ehlers has barely played this season, when he has he has been exceptional. Outside of the top trio Mark Scheifele has had a bounce back season (last night’s game was the exception and not the rule). The Jets are still fighting some sort of illness and there is no telling how that will impact the lineup.
There is currently no word on who is starting in goal for the Jets. Conventional wisdom says David Rittich should be starting, however Connor Hellebuyck had an exceptional game against Buffalo and did have a rest against Vancouver last week. They might want to start him back to back tonight.
