Since the Winnipeg Jets came back into the league in 2011, the Pittsburgh Penguins have dominated the matchups between the two teams. In nine games, the Penguins’ record is 7-2 and the Penguins have outscored the Jets 40-24.
The Jets’ predecessors fared no better against the black and gold. When the franchise moved from Atlanta, they had lost 12 of their last 13 games against Pittsburgh. The Penguins will try to continue their dominance tonight as they make their only trip to Manitoba this season.
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: The Jets will start Ondrej Pavelec in goal. The 27-year old native of the Czech Republic is off
to an excellent start in his eighth NHL season. He’s played in 12 of the Jets’ 13 games and has a .924 save percentage. His numbers against the Penguins, however, aren’t as good. He’s given up 4.33 goals per game in 14 contests against Pittsburgh and has recorded only two wins.
Center Brian Little is leading the Jets offensively this season, with five goals and five assists in 13 games. Dustin Byfuglien, who has played defense and right wing in his NHL career, has been playing exclusively at right wing for head coach Paul Maurice this season. Byfuglien has two goals, two assists, and 33 penalty minutes, which leads the Jets.
READY FOR TAKEOFF: The Penguins power play is the best in the league. At its current rate, it’s the best in the history of the league. The Pens took just 11 seconds to score with the man-advantage in Tuesday’s victory in Minnesota, and they now sit at a ridiculous 41.3% success rate on the season.
The Jets are killing penalties at a respectable 88.2% rate, good for fifth in the league. The problem they may run into is that they’ve been shorthanded 51 times, third most in the league. The Jets will have to be careful to stay out of the box against the Penguins’ potent attack.
“When you look at it, our power play is the best deterrent we have out there,” Head Coach Mike Johnston said, “Certainly, teams are intimidated to take penalties now. They want to be careful on us, and as a result, if teams are trying to be careful taking penalties, then you get a little bit more space…more opportunities to take pucks to the net, those types of things.”
IN A DOGFIGHT: The Penguins have ridden their five-game winning streak to the top of the Metropolitan Division. They have a three-point lead and a game in hand over the second place New York Islanders. Behind the Islanders, however, just two points separates second and fifth place in the division. The New York Rangers beat the Detroit Red Wings in overtime last night. The Islanders, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers all play tonight.
MAJOR AWARDS: Robert Morris senior forward Cody Wydo was named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Month for October. He finished second in the country in scoring in October, and scored a point in every game for the Colonials.
His teammate, sophomore goaltender Dalton Izyk, was named Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Month. Izyk stopped and incredible 97 of 98 shots and recorded two shutouts on his way to leading the nation in save percentage and goals against average.
MINOR MATTERS: Rookie center Matia Marcantuoni and veteran forward Zack Torquato were assigned to Wheeling of the ECHL. Second-year forward Carter Rowney was recalled to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
Injured defenseman Derrick Pouliot (head/neck) is expected to be in the Wilkes-Barre lineup this weekend, along with recently assigned forward Beau Bennett, who is recovering from an ankle injury.
The AHL Penguins host Hershey on Friday night, while Wheeling will travel to Evansville.
Photo Credit: NHL
