Urgency is nearing desperation for the Winnipeg Jets as they arrive in Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon to face the Penguins — a team equally aware that every game matters at this stage of the season.
Pittsburgh (34-18-16, 84 points) is holding onto second place in the Metropolitan Division, but the margin is razor thin. The Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders sit one point back, raising the stakes with each passing game.
Reinforcements have arrived at a critical time.
After Evgeni Malkin returned earlier this week from a five-game suspension for slashing, Sidney Crosby is back after missing time with a lower-body injury sustained during the Olympics. Their return provides experience and stability for a team trying to secure its footing down the stretch.
“Definitely some rust,” Crosby said of his return. “You’ve just got to find a way to adapt as soon as possible. Every game is so big. To come back at this point in the year, you’ve got to find a way to get that timing and make sure my game is where it needs to be.”
The Penguins lost a valuable point Wednesday in a 6-5 overtime defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes. Head coach Dan Muse said he believes his group has the ability to respond and remain above the playoff line over the final 14 games.
“You’ll see that at times, when things are tight, it’s who is going to create that momentum shift or that play,” Muse said. “I think we have a number of guys who have shown that ability.”
The Jets are navigating a different kind of pressure.
Winnipeg (28-29-11, 67 points) sits five points back of a playoff spot currently held by the Los Angeles Kings, with the Seattle Kraken, Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks also in the chase and ahead of the Jets in the standings.
Winnipeg followed a 5-2-1 homestand with a disappointing 6-1 loss at the Boston Bruins on Thursday. The defeat came ahead of a demanding road back-to-back, with the Jets set to visit the New York Rangers on Sunday.
“At the end of the day, we didn’t execute, and our compete level dropped — and those are the two most important things,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said. “That’s something, as coaches and with our leadership group, we have to address and make sure it doesn’t happen again. … That’s a one-off, hopefully.”
Captain Adam Lowry said the issue has not been effort, but execution — a theme that has surfaced throughout the season.
“The reads and trying to make the play were there. We just weren’t making the play,” Lowry told 680 CJOB. “That’s the difference in the game. … At this time of year, you either get two points or you don’t. We really needed that one. It makes this weekend super critical for us.”
On the injury front, Pittsburgh’s Ryan Graves could return Saturday after a conditioning stint. Samuel Girard and Kevin Hayes are considered day-to-day.
Winnipeg could also see Neal Pionk return to the lineup, pending evaluation following Friday’s practice.
