Jets at Hurricanes
Patrik Laine is a key cog in the powerful Winnipeg Jets offense, and the 19-year-old is riding an impressive hot streak entering Sunday’s road contest at the Carolina Hurricanes. Laine scored twice in Friday’s 4-3 victory over Detroit, giving the second-year forward eight goals and 13 points during his current seven-game point streak as the Jets continue to chase the first-place Nashville Predators in the Central Division.
“I just started to skate more and tried to work hard and play as simple as I can,” Laine told reporters after his two goals helped lift Winnipeg to its fourth victory in the past six games and remain six points behind the Predators in the division. “That’s the biggest reason why I’m getting rewarded.” Sunday’s contest features two teams squarely in playoff races, as the Hurricanes began Saturday holding onto the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot, albeit tied in points with Columbus and one point ahead of Florida. The Hurricanes have won back-to-back games, beating New Jersey 3-1 on Friday as Cam Ward made 25 saves one night after he stopped 21 shots in a victory at Philadelphia. “He made some big saves again when we needed to and was a calming influence on our guys,” Carolina coach Bill Peters told the media afterward.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sporstnet (Winnipeg), FS Carolinas
ABOUT THE JETS (38-17-9): Laine’s recent outburst has moved him into a tie for fifth in the NHL in goals, as Winnipeg began the weekend third in the league in goals per game (3.36). Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who has started 51 of the Jets’ first 64 games, made 30 saves against the Red Wings after giving up six goals in a loss to the Predators on Tuesday. Sunday marks the start of a six-game East Coast road trip, which ends March 13 in Nashville.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (29-25-11): Forward Teuvo Teravainen netted the game-winning goal Friday, his 18th of the season that sets a new career high and gives him a team-leading 51 points on the season. Forward Sebastian Aho has four points in his past five games, and leads the Hurricanes with 23 goals - one season after scoring 24 as a rookie. Carolina has allowed one goal in each of the past two games, after surrendering 24 combined while losing each of its previous six contests.
OVERTIME
1. Jets C Paul Stastny is a plus-3 with two points (one goal) in two games since being acquired from St. Louis.
2. Hurricanes C Jordan Staal has one assist in each of his past two games since returning to the team following the death of his infant daughter.
3. The Jets sent G Steve Mason (concussion) to Manitoba of the AHL on a conditioning assignment Saturday, and he may rejoin Winnipeg at some point during the road trip.