Penguins' Jordan Staal Scores In First Game Back As Jets Go Down 8-5

The Pittsburgh Penguins had only scored three goals in the previous three games heading into Saturday afternoon's contest against Winnipeg, but they erupted, scoring eight goals in a game for the second time this season.

The Penguins and the Jets ended the first period in a 2-2 tie in a game that looked like it was going to be tight. The Jets took the early lead, but the Penguins rallied before the end of the first period and tied the game. Then the Penguins went on a scoring spree, picking up three goals in the second period. Chris Kunitz picked up a power play goal to give the Penguins the initial 3-2 lead, then a goal by Kris Letang pushed the Penguins' lead to 4-2. The Jets quickly answered, however, with a goal by Tim Stapleton, cutting the lead to 4-3. Then Evgeni Malkin decided to get in on the scoring, giving the Penguins a 5-3 lead as the second period ended.

The final period went much like the second, a flurry of goals with the Penguins once again out scoring the Jets 3-2. When the dust finally settled, the Penguins walked away victorious with a score of 8-5. Letang ended the day with two goals while Jordan Staal picked up a goal in the third period in his return from injury.

For all news and information regarding the Pittsburgh Penguins, please visit PensBurgh, or check out SB Nation Pittsburgh. For updates and perspective on the Winnipeg Jets, head on over to Arctic Ice Hockey.

The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets as they mark the return of Jordan Staal to the lineup. The Jets were able to strike first in the first period thanks to a Kyle Wellwood goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Tobias Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets added another goal in the first period a few minutes later when Alex Burmistrov got the puck into the net to jump the Jets out to a 2-0 lead.

It didn't take long for Staal to make his mark on his return, as he assisted Dustin Jeffrey on the Penguins first goal of the game to cut the Jets lead to 2-1. Not too long after, James Neal knocked in his 29th goal of the season, assisted by Evgeni Malkin, as the Penguins tied up the game 2-2 before the first period ended.

For all news and information regarding the Pittsburgh Penguins, please visit PensBurgh, or check out SB Nation Pittsburgh. For updates and perspective on the Winnipeg Jets, head on over to Arctic Ice Hockey.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (30-19-5, 65 points) will get a welcome return to the lineup when they host the Winnipeg Jets (26-24-6, 58 pts) Saturday afternoon at the CONSOL Energy Center. After missing 15 games with a knee injury, center Jordan Staal will return for the Penguins, as Pittsburgh looks to avoid their fourth loss in five games. In his last nine games against the Jets, Staal has five goals and three assists.

The Penguins are coming off a four game road trip in which they went 1-2-1. The Jets, on the other hand, rallied in improbable fashion Thursday night in Washington, defeating the Caps 3-2 in a shootout.

Here is what you need to know for today's game:

Game Date/Time: Saturday, February 11, 2:00 P.M. ET

Location: CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA

TV: CBC, Root Sports, NHL Network

Radio: WXDX-FM (105.9 The X)

For all news and information regarding the Pittsburgh Penguins, please visit PensBurgh, or check out SB Nation Pittsburgh. For updates and perspective on the Winnipeg Jets, head on over to Arctic Ice Hockey.