Pittsburgh Penguins to bounce back against Winnipeg Jets at home ice - NHL Preview
Pittsburgh Penguins will look to get back to winning ways against an inconsistent Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the CONSOL Energy Center.
The Penguins 11-game unbeaten run starting from February, 21st ended on Sunday after a 3-2 overtime defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Against the Jets, however, they will be favourites to bounce right back and start another long winning run as the form of the team’s offensive line is unmatched in the league.
The Penguins are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with 94-points and need the two points to maintain their position with Atlantic division rivals Philadelphia trailing them by just two points.
Winnipeg on the other hand are pushing for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Jets are just four points behind eighth placed Washington Capitals and need to build some winning momentum if they wish to enter the playoffs.
Winnipeg are currently tenth in the Eastern Conference with 76-points.
Penguins (44-21-6, 94 pts)
Pittsburgh have been in brilliant form lately and it took a special performance from Philadelphia Flyers to end their long running unbeaten run.
The Penguins though will not be too worried about the loss and with a relatively easy run of games for the rest of the month will be confident of keeping their position in fourth in the Eastern Conference.
They will be confident of victory over Winnipeg on Tuesday, and will look to increase the gap between themselves and the Flyers.
Coach Dan Bylsma said after the game.
"During the streak, you probably couldn't have told our team we were on a streak. We just picked up and go to the next game."
Jets (34-30-8, 76 pts)
Winnipeg have won four of their last seven games but face their toughest test yet this month against the inform Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Jets two-game winning run came to an end on Sunday, as they lost 4-3 to Carolina Hurricanes and the dropped points may come back to haunt them at the end of the regular season.
With just four points between the Jets and the coveted playoff spots, Winnipeg need to put together a string of victories to enter the playoff rounds.
Jets coach Claude Noel was frustrated with the lost opportunity against Hurricanes.
"The problem was you couldn't stop the bleeding, and that's really sad. It's sad because we came so far and to do this to each other, to disrespect each other like this was silly."
Predictions
Pittsburgh will win comfortably at home ice.
Sum of goals will be more than six.
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