Thursday, April 3, 8:00 PM on ROOT, TSN

MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Penguins have clinched their playoff spot with 101 points thus far on the year but any coach will tell you limping into the postseason is not healthy for an extended run. Pittsburgh has slumped lately but hope a win against mediocre Winnipeg will get them back on track. The Jets are all but eliminated, trailing the postseason by 7 points with just 5 games to play but have fought hard in back-to-back OT games.

Pittsburgh has lost 6 of 10 and in all of them they were favored. Even more alarming to Penguins fans was that 8 of those 10 games were in the comfort of the Consol Energy Center. Kicking off a three game road trip with a win in Winnipeg will be huge as the Penguins then return home for the final three matchups of the season.

The Jets return home after a 5-game road stretch in which they went 2-2-1. The day of rest before Thursday's game could be a big lift to the Jets as they've gone to OT and a shootout in their last two matchups. Overall Winnipeg has won just 4 of their last 10 but cashed in a +206 payout versus San Jose and a +165 moneyline against Phoenix.

The Jets and Penguins have met up once this year on January 5th in Pittsburgh. Winnipeg was playing for the second time in two nights and came in as +232 underdogs. The Jets took a 2-0 lead after the first period but allowed three straight Penguins goals. Despite a 5-4 Winnipeg advantage going into the third, Pittsburgh scored the final two goals to get the 6-5 win and cash in the -255 ticket for their bettors.

ATS Trends

Pittsburgh is 21-17 straight up on the road this season

Pittsburgh is 15-19-4 against the over/under on the road this season

Winnipeg is 17-21 straight up at home this season

Winnipeg is 22-14-2 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh

12/23/13 RW Pascal Dupuis Knee out for season
04/01/14 C Joe Vitale Undisclosed out indefinitely
03/29/14 C Marcel Goc Foot expected to miss 3 weeks
03/25/14 C Evgeni Malkin Foot expected to miss 2-3 weeks
02/25/14 RW Chris Conner Foot out 4-6 weeks
02/21/14 D Paul Martin Hand out indefinitely
02/07/14 D Kris Letang Heart out indefinitely

Winnipeg 

12/26/13 D Grant Clitsome Back out for season
04/01/14 GO Al Montoya Lower Body questionable Thursday vs Pittsburgh
03/28/14 D Zach Bogosian Upper Body out indefinitely
03/16/14 RW Chris Thorburn Foot out indefinitely
03/10/14 C Mark Scheifele Knee out for season
03/04/14 C James Wright Ankle out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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