Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Winnipeg Jets NHL Odds, Prediction

Considering these two teams met three nights earlier in Pittsburgh, both the Penguins and Jets should have a pretty good scouting report on each other. The Pens knocked off the Jets 2-1 in overtime this past Thursday night, in a game that saw the teams combine for 67 shots as both goaltenders made highlight reel saves throughout the game.

Penguins vs. Jets

Moneyline: Jets -115

Date: Sunday, October 29, 7:00pmET

Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, MB

NHL Odds and Betting Analysis

The Penguins have owned the Winnipeg Jets since the franchise opened shop in 1999. In 60 career games head to head, the Penguins are 46-14, and 13- 3 since the team moved to Winnipeg. In the last 11 games, the Penguins are 10 -1 and are currently on a four game winning streak against the Jets, outscoring them 16 to 9 along the way.

Pittsburgh Penguins

This will be the second game of a back to back for the Penguins Sunday night, and the second game of a five game road trip. Last night in Minnesota, the Pens fell to the Wild 2-1. Matt Murray recorded the loss stopping 27 shots in a tight game and because of the consecutive games for the Penguins, expect backup Casey DeSmith to make his first National Hockey League start Sunday evening. DeSmith was recently called up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earlier this week, and was 3-0 with a 0.98 goals-against average and a .965 save percentage (with one shutout) in the AHL. Of note, Phil Kessel has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in the past eight games. Sidney Crosby has played in 33 career games against the Winnipeg Jets franchise, scoring 16 goals, and 26 assists.

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets return home after back to back 2-1 overtime losses to both Pittsburgh (Thursday) and Columbus (Friday). The Jets are currently trying to work their way through a scoring drought. They sit 22nd in the league in goals (2.67gpg) and 28^th in shots on goal (29.6spg). Players who did not record a point in the short two game road trip include a who’s who on the team – Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Nik Ehlers, Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor and Dustin Byfuglien. One positive was the Jets’ penalty killing. They went 8-for-8 in the two games. Steve Mason played his best game of the season Friday in the loss, but expect Connor Hellebuyck to start Sunday. In the last two years, Hellebuyck has faced the Penguins four times, losing three of them (allowing 11 goals), while shutting out the Pens 1-0 back in December of 2015.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Winnipeg Jets Prediction

Jets 5 – Penguins 4