Game Thread: Jets @ Pens

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Winnipeg Jets
Overall record: 19-20-4, 43 points (48.9%)
Road record: 9-12-1
Last 10: 5-5-0
Streak: -2
GFA: 2.57
GAA: 2.84
PP%: 18.2%
PK%: 83.2%
Projected lineup:
L1: Andrew Ladd - Bryan Little - Blake Wheeler
L2: Evander Kane - Mark Scheifele - Michael Frolik
L3" Chris Thorburn - Olli Jokinen - Devin Setoguchi
L4: Eric Tangradi - James Wright - Anthony Peluso
D1: Dustin Byfuglien - Keaton Ellerby
D2: Jacob Trouba - Tobias Enstrom
D3: Mark Stuart - Zach Bogosian
G: Ondrej Pavelec

Pittsburgh Penguins
Overall record: 30-12-1, 61 points (70.9%)
Home record: 18-3-0
Last 10: 8-2-0
Streak: +1
GFA: 3.09
GAA: 2.28
PP%: 25.9%
PK%: 88.4%
Projected lineup:
L1: Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - James Neal
L2: Jussi Jokinen - Brandon Sutter - Brian Gibbons
L3: Taylor Pyatt - Joe Vitale - Craig Adams
L4: Tanner Glass - Zach Sill - Deryk Engelland
D1: Olli Maatta - Matt Niskanen
D2: Brooks Orpik - Simon Despres
D3: Robert Bortuzzo - Rob Scuderi
G: Marc-Andre Fleury

Series notes
All-time: Pens lead series 38-10-3
Last season: Pens won series 2-1
Last meeting: 3/28/2013 @ Consol Energy Center, Pens won 4-0

Doob's take: Pens are coming off a 5-2 win against the Rangers while the Jets are coming of a 4-1 loss to the Bruins, so I feel momentum is on our side. On top of that, Pens tend to do well against the Jets. That being said I got a feeling the Jets will want to prove something in this game, but the Doobster predicts the Pens to prevail 4-3.

Let's go Pens!

 

[pixburgher66]

Excited to see future Penguin Evander Kane in Pittsburgh tomorrow, weeeee! (This is sarcasm...because those rumors were poo)

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I would settle for Blake Wheeler.

 

[Darkstone42]

I fear I'll be missing this one.

Traveling.

 

[Jims_Doors]

 

[Jims_Doors]

 

[Darkstone42]

Never mind that traveling thing. For the second time, my flight got cancelled. I may never get back home.

 

[Darkstone42]

[MEDIA=twitter]419861492406579202[/MEDIA]

NOOOOOOO!

Alright, buddy, start upping your trade value.

 

[pixburgher66]

Letang is back, and Geno is on the ice for warmups. We're close friends. We're close. CAN WE PLEASE TRADE LETANG? I realize that Shero won't do this for many reasons (1. the team is winning, he won't make a major shakeup and 2. he promised), but...but...we just don't need him, and so much money, and can get so much back, and...and...ahashdslf.

 

[Jims_Doors]

 

[Jims_Doors]

Letang is back, and Geno is on the ice for warmups. We're close friends. We're close. CAN WE PLEASE TRADE LETANG? I realize that Shero won't do this for many reasons (1. the team is winning, he won't make a major shakeup and 2. he promised), but...but...we just don't need him, and so much money, and can get so much back, and...and...ahashdslf.

...not this again.

 

[pixburgher66]

...not this again.

Don't misread me: he's talented. Very talented. I say we don't "need" him because we have capable players, and cheaper players, able to play. He makes the team better when he plays...but I can't get over that contract. I can only hope he continues to develop as a player...because he's going to need to to make the contract not be terrible.

 

[pixburgher66]

14-87-49, 36-71-18, 17-16-46, 15-38-27, D: 4-58, 44-5, 3-2

Pens lines. Gotta admit, we have to move someone on D. When PaulMart is back, we'll have a bunch of extra D. Engo, Bortuzzo, Despres (who will sadly go back to WBS, although he deserves his spot here so very much).

 

[pixburgher66]

Geno officially in.

 

[Darkstone42]

Why is Engelland in over both Despres and Bortuzzo again? Bortuzzo's been playing top minutes lately, and now he's going to be scratched? And Despres has been outstanding.

Honestly, I see Despres as a very similar player to Letang. Stronger than he looks, good skater and puck handler (Letang is faster, though, I will admit), aggressive offensively. If Letang were signed to a contract worth $5 million a year, I wouldn't even consider him trade bait, but his contract is above his performance, and we have guys who can almost fill the void which would be left by him while allowing us to afford other players, like a true finisher for one of the top two lines.

 

[Jims_Doors]

Don't misread me: he's talented. Very talented. I say we don't "need" him because we have capable players, and cheaper players, able to play. He makes the team better when he plays...but I can't get over that contract. I can only hope he continues to develop as a player...because he's going to need to to make the contract not be terrible.

The contract won't nearly look as bad as the cap will more than likely keep going up.

Yes, we have cheaper D players that can play, but not play the way Kris does NOW.

The time is now because the Pens aren't getting any younger. If Sid Geno etc...finish their careers with only 1 cup, I'd say that's a failure.

 

[Jims_Doors]

Why is Engelland in over both Despres and Bortuzzo again? Bortuzzo's been playing top minutes lately, and now he's going to be scratched? And Despres has been outstanding.

Honestly, I see Despres as a very similar player to Letang. Stronger than he looks, good skater and puck handler (Letang is faster, though, I will admit), aggressive offensively. If Letang were signed to a contract worth $5 million a year, I wouldn't even consider him trade bait, but his contract is above his performance, and we have guys who can almost fill the void which would be left by him while allowing us to afford other players, like a true finisher for one of the top two lines.

For some reason, Bylsma has a major hard-on for Engo and not sure why.

 

[Darkstone42]

Great chance for Kane off the bat, big save by Fleury with the trapper.

 

[pixburgher66]

30 seconds in...Letang pinches, falls in the offensive zone, Kunitz gets deked by Kane, ROBBED by MAF.

 

[pixburgher66]

What the hell is the team doing right now?