The Winnipeg Jets travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins on March 21, 2026, in an important NHL regular-season matchup at PPG Paints Arena. Both teams are battling for positioning late in the season, which makes this afternoon clash a key game in the playoff race.
The Penguins currently sit among the top teams in the Eastern Conference standings but are in a tightly contested race where a few losses could push them down the table. Pittsburgh have recently played several high-scoring games and continue to rely on experienced leaders such as Sidney Crosby and other offensive contributors to keep the attack moving.
Winnipeg, meanwhile, are trying to close the gap to the playoff zone in the Western Conference. The Jets have had mixed results recently, including a difficult defeat in their last game, but the team still possesses one of the league’s most productive offensive duos in Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor.
Another key storyline in this matchup is the goaltending battle. The Jets are expected to rely on Connor Hellebuyck, who remains one of the most respected goalies in the league and has historically performed well against Pittsburgh.
With the Penguins looking to protect home ice and the Jets hoping to bounce back from recent struggles, this matchup could turn into a fast-paced and competitive NHL contest.
Match Details
| Match | Winnipeg Jets vs Pittsburgh Penguins |
|---|---|
| Date | March 21, 2026 |
| Time | 1:00 PM ET |
| Venue | PPG Paints Arena |
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Broadcast | NHL Network, TSN3 |
Conference Standings Snapshot
| Team | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 1st | 94 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 2nd | 92 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 3rd | 88 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 4th | 84 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 5th | 84 |
Pittsburgh are currently inside the playoff positions, while Winnipeg are still trying to climb closer to the postseason race in the Western Conference.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Penguins -160 |
| Jets | +135 |
| Puck Line | Penguins -1.5 (+160) |
| Jets +1.5 | (-190) |
| Total | 6 Goals |
The Penguins enter the game as favorites, largely because of their home advantage and stronger position in the standings.
Recent Form
Pittsburgh Penguins – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 19 | Hurricanes | Loss 5–6 (OT) |
| Mar 17 | Avalanche | Win 7–2 |
| Mar 15 | Utah | Win 4–3 |
| Mar 13 | Golden Knights | Loss 2–6 |
| Mar 11 | Hurricanes | Loss 4–5 |
Pittsburgh have played several high-scoring games recently, showing both offensive strength and defensive inconsistency.
Winnipeg Jets – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 20 | Bruins | Loss 1–6 |
| Mar 18 | Predators | Loss 3–4 |
| Mar 16 | Blues | Win 3–2 |
| Mar 15 | Avalanche | Win 3–1 |
| Mar 13 | Rangers | Loss 3–6 |
Winnipeg have struggled recently but remain capable of strong offensive performances.
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2025 | Jets 5 – Penguins 2 |
| Nov 23, 2024 | Jets 4 – Penguins 1 |
| Oct 21, 2024 | Jets 6 – Penguins 3 |
| Feb 11, 2024 | Jets 2 – Penguins 1 |
| Feb 7, 2024 | Penguins 3 – Jets 0 |
The Jets have had the upper hand in recent meetings between the two teams.
Key Trend
- Winnipeg have won four straight games against Pittsburgh.
Key Players to Watch
Winnipeg Jets
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Mark Scheifele | Team leader in assists and points |
| Kyle Connor | Elite goal scorer |
| Gabriel Vilardi | Secondary scoring threat |
Scheifele continues to drive Winnipeg’s offense and remains one of the league’s top playmakers.
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | Team captain and scoring leader |
| Erik Karlsson | Offensive defenseman |
| Bryan Rust | Consistent goal contributor |
Crosby’s leadership and playmaking ability remain central to Pittsburgh’s attack.
Projected Lineups
| Winnipeg Jets | Pittsburgh Penguins |
|---|---|
| Hellebuyck (G) | Skinner (G) |
| Morrissey – DeMelo | Karlsson – Pettersson |
| Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi | Guentzel – Crosby – Rust |
Both teams rely heavily on their top lines to generate scoring chances.
Goaltending Matchup
| Team | Goalie | GAA |
|---|---|---|
| Jets | Connor Hellebuyck | 2.76 |
| Penguins | Stuart Skinner | 3.63 |
Hellebuyck has historically performed well against Pittsburgh and could be a key factor in this matchup.
Injury Report
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Samuel Girard | Out |
| Ryan Graves | Out |
| Caleb Jones | Out |
| Filip Hallander | Out |
| Blake Lizotte | Out |
| Kevin Hayes | Out |
The Penguins are dealing with several injuries across their lineup.
Winnipeg Jets
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Colin Miller | Out |
| Nino Niederreiter | Out |
| Vladislav Namestnikov | Out |
| Neal Pionk | Possible return |
Winnipeg also have a few key absences but could receive reinforcement if Pionk returns.
Key Stats Comparison
| Category | Jets | Penguins |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Per Game | 2.53 | 3.18 |
| Goals Allowed | 3.22 | 3.00 |
| Road Performance | Below .500 | Strong home offense |
| Momentum | Mixed | Improving |
Both teams have strong offensive players, but defensive consistency will likely decide the outcome.
Player Props
| Player | Prop Pick |
|---|---|
| Mark Scheifele | Over 0.5 Assists |
| Kyle Connor | Over 0.5 Points |
| Sidney Crosby | Anytime Point |
Scheifele has been one of Winnipeg’s most consistent playmakers this season.
Best Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Jets |
| Spread | Jets +1.5 |
| Total | Under 6 |
| Player Prop | Scheifele Over 0.5 Assists |
The Jets’ strong goaltending advantage could help them secure a close victory.
How to Watch Jets vs Penguins
Fans can watch the game live on NHL Network and TSN3, with puck drop scheduled for 1:00 PM ET at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Final Prediction
Both teams enter the matchup with plenty to play for as the regular season approaches its final stretch. Pittsburgh will try to capitalize on home ice, while Winnipeg will rely heavily on the leadership of Scheifele and the goaltending of Hellebuyck.
Given Winnipeg’s recent success in this matchup and their advantage in net, the Jets could challenge the Penguins in a tightly contested game.
Predicted Score
Winnipeg Jets 4 – Pittsburgh Penguins 3
