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Shea-ved Ice: Jets Vs. Penguins Preview

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins saw their 11-game winning streak snapped on a last-second overtime goal against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

Now, the Penguins will look to start up a new streak when they host the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday night.

The Penguins are in a dogfight in the Atlantic Division and only trail the New York Rangers by three points for the top spot.

Pittsburgh has a game in hand on the Rangers who clinched a playoff spot last night with a 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils.

Heading into play tonight, the Eastern Conference standings are as follows:

  • New York Rangers – 97 points
  • Boston Bruins - 87 points
  • Florida Panthers - 83 points
  • Pittsburgh Penguins – 94 points
  • Philadelphia Flyers – 92 points
  • New Jersey Devils – 87 points
  • Ottawa Senators - 84 points
  • Washington Capitals - 80 points

*Atlantic Division in bold.

Winnipeg is fighting to get into the playoffs and only trail the Capitals by four points with a game in hand.

The Jets are currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and trail the surging Buffalo Sabres by two points.

After an emotional win over the Capitals last week, the Jets followed that performance with a 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.

Blake Wheeler is leading the team in points with 59 (17 goals, 42 assists), while Evander Kane leads the team in goals with 28.

The last time the Jets came to town on Feb. 11, the Penguins won 8-5. Ondrej Pavelec surrendered all eight goals in the contest.

This season, Pavelec is 27-24-7 with a 2.78 GAA and a .910 save percentage. Against the Penguins, he is a dismal 1-9 with a 4.56 GAA and a .863 save percentage.

Backup goaltender Chris Mason hasn't fared much better against the Penguins. In his career, he's 0-4 with a 4.44 GAA and a .849 save percentage.

For Pittsburgh, they lead the season series 2-1 over the Jets.

Evgeni Malkin continues to lead the NHL's scoring race with 88 points (41 goals, 47 assists). He currently has a four-point lead over Steven Stamkos and Claude Giroux.

In 21 career games against the Jets franchise, Malkin has 11 goals and 23 assists with four goals and 10 assists coming on the power play.

Sidney Crosby was held off the score sheet against the Flyers on Sunday. However, history might lend to the thinking that he will figure into some goals for the Penguins this evening.

In 21 games against the Jets franchise, Crosby has 13 goals and 22 assists with four goals and 13 assists coming on the power play.

In goal, Marc-Andre Fleury (39-14-4, 2.26 GAA, .916 save percentage) started both games over the weekend against the Devils and Flyers. However, a starter for tonight's game has yet to be determined.

Against the Jets, Fleury is 14-5 with a 2.33 GAA and a .915 save percentage with one shutout.

The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. and you can watch the game on Root Sports.

You can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheavedice

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