The Pittsburgh Penguins regularly dominate the Winnipeg Jets and they are still looking to kick some lousy play.
Since their inception as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999 and move to Winnipeg in 2011, the Pittsburgh Penguins have always dominated the Jets organization.
In 67 games played against the Jets/Thrashers, the Penguins hold a 51-13-3 record; that’s good for a .784 win percentage, the highest of any opponent in Penguins franchise history.
In Winnipeg specifically, the Penguins remain successful with an 8-4 record scoring 40 total goals in 12 games at Canada Life Centre, formerly known as Bell MTS Place.
This time, however, the Penguins are traveling to Winnipeg in hopes to not only continue a reign of terror against the Jets, but to continue gaining lost ground from their recent poor play.
What better way to continue building momentum than taking on a team you regularly play strong against?
Even if Vezina caliber goalie Connor Hellebuyck is in net for the Jets, the Penguins seem to have his number.
In 10 appearances against the Penguins, Hellebuyck is 3-4-3 giving up 24 goals.
If the Penguins want to gain their momentum against the Jets, they have to take full advantage of their lack of defensive play.
In the last four seasons, Hellebuyck has led the NHL in shots faced and saves; the team in front of him has built a reputation for refusing to play defense.
As he inches closer to one of the games biggest milestones, Evgeni Malkin will play his 999th career game against the Jets, a team he has some history with.
Malkin, in only 36 games against the Jets/Thrashers, has 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points; he’ll look to add to that as he closes in on his 1,000th career game.
In case you were curious, Sidney Crosby is also a constant presence against the Jets franchise with 57 points (18G-39A) in 40 games.
The Penguins picked up a much needed win against the Minnesota Wild but still need to pull themselves fully out of a funk that has lasted almost a month now.
A big win against a little brother team should be a big help for the Penguins who are playing in the first half of a back-to-back situation.
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