Penguins
Penguins Game 22, Trouble Worsens; Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Jets
The Pittsburgh Penguins (7-10-4) have coughed up eight multiple-goal leads in the first 21 games and thus are outside the playoff seeds, staring at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The good news is they are mired in an eight-team gaggle within a few points of the final playoff spot, but the bad news is that no lead is safe against an opponent, good or bad. They face the juggernaut Winnipeg Jets (16-3-0) on Friday at PPG Paints Arena.
The puck drops just after 7 p.m.
The Penguins blew a three-goal lead to the San Jose Sharks last Saturday before winning in a shootout, but then they blew a two-goal lead to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, losing in overtime.
The loss on Tuesday left the locker room nearly speechless, and coach Mike Sullivan had an intense and direct postgame press conference in which he challenged his team’s pride in their defensive play.
Read More: Penguins Report Card: Players Speechless; Sullivan Rips Lack of ‘Pride’
The Drew O’Connor line has continued to provide offense and a spark for the team, including another goal by Jesse Puljujarvi on that line. Rickard Rakell scored a power-play goal before the Penguins allowed three unanswered goals with some hefty defensive gaffes, followed by a soft goal by Tristan Jarry in overtime as the Penguins lost 3-2 in OT.
Winnipeg has been a juggernaut all season. They set an NHL record by winning 14 of their first 15 games (including rallying from a multi-goal deficit against the Penguins on Oct. 20 in a 6-3 win). Winnipeg just split a home-and-home series with the Florida Panthers, as each side won big on home ice. Florida won 5-0 at home, while Winnipeg won 6-3 at the Canadian Life Center.
Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor lead Winnipeg with 12 goals and 12 assists each.
The Penguins will also need to deal with Winnipeg’s power play, which is converting more than 35% of chances and easily ranked first in the NHL.
Sullivan will keep Tristan Jarry in the net. Connor Hellebuyck is the likely starter for Winnipeg. Hellebuyck is on a Hart Trophy (not just a Vezina Trophy) pace with a 13-2-0 record and a .923 save percentage.
After being absent for a couple of games due to illness, Kris Letang is a game-time decision. So, too, is forward Kevin Hayes.
Penguins Lines
Anthony Beauvillier-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell
Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust
Jesse Puljujarvi-Drew O’Connor-Sam Poulin
Matt Nieto-Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari
Defense
Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson
Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang
Owen Pickering-Jack St. Ivany
Goalie: Tristan Jarry
Expected Jets Lines
Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Gabriel Vilardi
Cole Perfetti-Vladislav Namestnikov-Nikolaj Ehlers
Nino Neiderreiter-Adam Lowry-Mason Appleton
Morgan Barron-Rasmus Kupari-Alex Iafallo
Defense
Josh Morrissey-Dylan Demelo
Dylan Samberg-Neal Pionk
Haydn Fleury-Colin Miller
Goalie: Connor Hellebuyck
Special Teams
Penguins Power Play: 19.6%, 16th. Penguins Penalty Kill: 82.5%, 9th.
Jets Power Play: 35.7%, 1st. Jets Penalty Kill: 70.2%, 17th.
Penguins Game Notes
The Penguins are 20-2-0 in its last 22 home games against the Jets/Thrashers franchise dating back to Mar. 24, 2007
Erik Karlsson has 28 points (3-25-28) in 33 career games against the Jets. His 0.85 points-per-game average versus Winnipeg ranks first among all active defensemen (min. 10 GP).
Michael Bunting has five points (3-2-5) over his last eight games after recording just one point (1A) in his first 12 games.
Penguins defenseman Owen Pickering grew up 30 minutes from Winnipeg, and it would be his first game against his hometown team.
Sidney Crosby is stuck on Goal 599. He’s been one or two goals shy of his 600th career goal for seven games.
How to Watch
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh; Radio: 105.9 The X
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Probably gonna ruin my evening, but I have to watch the game even if its a debacle like most of the games this year….Gonna rummage thru the closet and find a lucky jersey to watch the game in…Maybe Crosby 87 Blue jersey or a “90’s Futuristic Penguin logo” I never liked that logo…why did they change it right after winning 2 Cups? Stupid and unlucky, but I will wear that artifact. Lets Go Pens!
Maybe I’ll join you and wear my vintage Kevin Stevens jersey…..
Maybe Sullivan should tell them to play the Wrong way tonight and don’t pay any attention to details.
Is there precedent for not having a coaching staff on the bench? The captains can figure it all out. 🙂
Only in the Iron League