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The Penguins will put their 11 game home winning streak on the line against the Winnipeg Jets this afternoon as they attempt to set the franchise record with a 12th win.
Some big roster news today for the Penguins as Kris Letang has been taken off of IR and he will be inserted back into the lineup today.
Three of the Penguins top four defensemen will now be actually playing in a hockey game together. This is a vast improvement over the zero out of four from 2 weeks ago.
Evgeni Malkin was also taken off of IR officially, but he still remains a game time decision. Apparently the pain that had been plaguing Malkin in contact drills during practice has subsided and we could potentially see the Penguins get two stars back in the lineup today.
If Malkin does return that would more than likely signal a return trip of Neal to Malkin's right wing. Malkin's line would regain its familiar look with Jokinen and Neal. The big question would be who jumps up to play right wing with the Crosby line. Would it be Joe Vitale who took on that responsibility before? Or will it be somebody else?
Under Bylsma, Pens 42-16-7 in 65 afternoon GP, including 23-4-3 at home. 8-0-1 last 9 home afternoon vs. West since 3-4 SOL to Nash 2-14-10.
— Pens Radio Network (@PensRadioNet) January 5, 2014Line Combos
Projected lineup for the Penguins based on Evgeni Malkin in the lineup:
Kunitz-Crosby-Gibbons Jokinen-Malkin-Neal Pyatt-Sutter-Vitale Glass-Sill-Adams
Scuderi-Letang Orpik-Engelland Maatta-Niskanen
Simon Despres odd man out
Fleury will start in goal
Projected lineup for the Jets:
Ladd-Little-Wheeler Kane-Scheifele-Frolik Thorburn-Jokinen-Setoguchi Tangrad-Wright-Peluso
Byfuglien-Ellerby Trouba-Enstrom Stuart-Bogosian
Injuries
As stated above Kris Letang will be returning and Evgeni Malkin is a game time decision.
Paul Martin passed a bone scan test and began skating for the 1st time yesterday with the team.
Jayson Megna has also resumed skating away from the team.
Chuck Kobasew is day to day with a lower body injury
Power Play
The Penguins are the top power play in the NHL. They are at 25.9%. Potentially getting Evgeni Malkin back into the lineup is certainly not going to hurt this ranking.
The Penguins are tied for 13th in the NHL with 143 power play opportunities.
The Winnipeg Jets are 25th overall in the NHL with 14.3%. This surprises me given the fact they have a great blue line presence in Dustin Byfuglien and up front they could potentially choose from Evander Kane, Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd.
Instead they use Olli Jokinen with Ladd and Little, perhaps that is the issue.
The Jets are tied for 19th with 140 power play opportunities
Penalty Kill
The Penguins are 2nd overall in the NHL on the PK with 88.4%.
The Jets are tied for 11th overall with 83.2%.
The Penguins are tied for 3rd best in the league with only being shorthanded 129 times
The Jets are tied for 26th overall with 155 times shorthanded.
Fenclose%
The Penguins are 9th overall at 52.5%
The Jets are 20th overall at 49.0%
Even Strength Save %
The Penguins are 18th overall with an EVSV% of .917%.
The Jets are 21st overall with an EVSV% of .916%
Trends
Jets are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Metropolitan
Jets are 3-8 in their last 11 vs. a team with a winning record
Jets are 1-5 in their last 6 road games
Penguins are 7-1 in their last 8 Sunday games
Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings
Jets are 4-21 in the last 25 meetings in Pittsburgh
Stats courtesy of covers.com
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