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Jets Look to Stay Perfect Against Penguins
The unbeaten Winnipeg Jets are looking to extend their hot start to the season when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon. Riding a strong offensive output and stellar goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, the Jets have opened the season with four straight wins, while the Penguins have been inconsistent through their first six games.
Jets’ Hot Start
The Jets have been red-hot to begin the season, combining timely scoring with exceptional goaltending from Hellebuyck. In their latest outing on Friday night, Winnipeg cruised to an 8-3 victory over the winless San Jose Sharks, marking their fourth consecutive win. Hellebuyck, starting his 500th NHL game, made 19 saves, giving him a relatively stress-free night after a pair of 2-1 overtime wins earlier in the season.
For the Jets, Cole Perfetti (two goals, two assists), Neal Pionk (one goal, three assists), and Vladislav Namestnikov (one goal, three assists) each posted career-best four-point performances. Nikolaj Ehlers also chipped in with two goals and an assist, as Winnipeg extended its regular-season win streak to 12 games, dating back to last season.
“Whenever you score, it gives you a boost of confidence,” Namestnikov said. “But in this league, you can’t get too high and you can’t get too low. We kind of enjoy the night tonight, but then move on to (the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday).”
A key part of Winnipeg’s success has been their power play, converting 4-of-7 opportunities against San Jose. They are 7-for-14 on the season, continuing to be a force with the man advantage.
Hellebuyck’s numbers are also impressive, as the veteran netminder boasts a shutout, a 1.25 goals-against average, and a .952 save percentage through four games.
“We were due to help (Hellebuyck) out and score for him,” Perfetti said. “He’s bailed us out multiple times, so it was nice to do that for him in tonight’s game.”
Penguins’ Inconsistent Start
The Penguins, on the other hand, have been up and down to start their season. After a pair of high-scoring wins, including a dramatic 6-5 overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh fell flat on Friday in a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. In that game, Drew O’Connor gave the Penguins an early 1-0 lead, but the team was outshot 28-11 through two periods, and stars Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby were held without a shot on goal.
“We just got to look inward; everybody has got to look inward and bring a little bit more,” Penguins forward Lars Eller said. “Everybody can be a leader and drag us into a game, whether it’s a goal, a hit, or something.”
The Penguins will need better play from their top players to remain competitive. Joel Blomqvist made 35 saves in his third NHL start, but the team couldn’t generate enough offensive pressure to stay in the game.
“They just worked harder than us and got rewarded for it,” defenseman Kris Letang said. “Obviously, early on you want to find your identity… Right now, it’s like a roller coaster.”
Pittsburgh’s goaltending has also been a concern. Backup Alex Nedeljkovic, who has yet to play this season after suffering a lower-body injury during the preseason, was recalled from the AHL for this road trip. Tristan Jarry, the current starter, has struggled with a 5.47 GAA and an .836 save percentage, and the Penguins need better consistency from him moving forward.
Key Matchups to Watch
Jets’ Offense vs. Penguins’ Defense
Winnipeg’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, particularly on the power play, where they’ve been lethal. Pittsburgh’s defense will need to be disciplined to avoid giving the Jets too many opportunities with the man advantage.
Hellebuyck vs. Penguins’ Star Power
With Malkin and Crosby coming off a quiet game, Pittsburgh will be looking to get their offensive stars back on track. Hellebuyck has been nearly unbeatable so far, but he’ll face a strong challenge from the Penguins’ top players.
Goaltending Battle
While Hellebuyck has been in excellent form, Pittsburgh’s goaltending remains a question mark. Whether Jarry can find his form or Nedeljkovic gets an opportunity could play a significant role in this matchup.
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Game Outlook
The Jets have momentum and are playing at home, where they’ve been strong early in the season. The Penguins, while talented, have been inconsistent, and their goaltending issues may continue to hold them back. Winnipeg’s offense, combined with Hellebuyck’s elite goaltending, gives the Jets a solid edge going into this matchup.
Prediction
The Jets continue their perfect start with a solid win over the Penguins, taking advantage of Pittsburgh’s defensive and goaltending struggles.
