Game #7 - at Winnipeg Jets

2011-12 Game 7

Pittsburgh Penguins (3-1-2, 8 points) at Winnipeg Jets (0-3-0, 0 points)

Ladd, Enstrom and Pavelec?  This might be worse than the 03-04 Penguins.

Why does it matter?

The Jets are terrible.  They could be just the medicine for the Pens, who have hit a bit of a skid lately (three losses in four games).  Malkin will not play in this one.  He didn't go on the road trip (he won't play in Minnesota on Tuesday either).

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Just coming up short in several games.  This could be attributed to a lack of fire power, but the guys on the ice need to find a way to get it done.
• Jets - There's no nice way to put it - they've been horrible so far.  ZERO goals on the power play and out scored 13-5 overall.  Yikes.

Questions to be answered

• What wonderful quote will Jet's coach Claude Noel come up with next?  His latest, "it looks like our team thinks we have a free pass to fail", is downright Therrien-esque.
• Can James Neal keep scoring?  If he doesn't, who will score?  What about the power play, which has been poor without Malkin?
• How about a big goal from either Vitale or Letestu?  When Sid or Geno is out, the Pens need one of these guys to step up.  I thought we saw some small signs from Letestu against Buffalo.  Hopefully he can get it going.

Keys to the game

• Results from the fourth line.  Asham and Adams are both a -4 on the season.  Those guys cannot be a detriment to the team.  At the very least, they need to hold the fort until the better offensive lines get out there.  That isn't happening right now.
• Be strong the first 10 minutes.  You know the Jets will come out with a vengeance.  Withstand the storm and go to work.
• Steve Sullivan - he has looked terrific at times, but he only has 9 shots through 6 games.  I'd like to see him look for his own shot a bit more.