Sharks at Jets
The Winnipeg Jets have played well throughout the first 42 games of the NHL season, and look to continue their home dominance when they host the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. The Jets won for the fourth time in five games overall and improved to 15-3-1 on home ice - including a loss on opening night - with a 4-3 victory Friday over Buffalo as center Blake Wheeler finished with a goal and an assist.
“Special teams was the difference for sure in the game tonight,” Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice told reporters after the Jets killed off all five Buffalo power plays Friday, the 10th consecutive home game they have not allowed a power-play goal (30 opportunities). The Sharks could not hold a 5-2 lead after two periods Friday at Ottawa, surrendering three goals in the third period before falling 6-5 in overtime. “There are no easy points on the road,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer told the media after San Jose dropped to 1-1-2 on a road trip that ends Sunday. “We’ll take the point and move on. We’ve got a chance to have a great trip with a win in Winnipeg.” The Sharks are one of only two teams to shut out the Jets this season, winning 4-0 in San Jose on Nov. 25.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBCS California (San Jose), TSN3 (Winnipeg)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (21-12-6): Center Logan Couture recorded three assists Friday - his first points since returning to the lineup Dec. 31, following a head injury. Defenseman Brent Burns has 22 points in his past 20 games after recording a goal and an assist against the Senators. The Sharks played backup goaltender Aaron Dell against the Senators, while starter Martin Jones has surrendered six goals on 50 shots across his past two outings.
ABOUT THE JETS (24-11-7): Wheeler has five goals and eight points in five games since moving from forward to center for the injured Mark Scheifele. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien snapped a 33-game goal drought with his first of the season Friday. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning NHL first star of the week, is 6-0-2 in his past eight games with a .936 save percentage and a 1.97 goals against average.
OVERTIME
1. San Jose’s loss Friday dropped its record when leading after two periods to 14-0-1, while the Jets are 19-0-1 when leading after 40 minutes.
2. Winnipeg is 6-for-16 on the power play in its past four games and entered Saturday tied for second in the NHL in power play percentage (24.8).
3. The Sharks are fifth in the NHL in goals allowed per game (2.56), and the Jets are tied for third in goals scored per contest (3.31) through Friday.