Predators at Jets
The Winnipeg Jets have not totally given up on the top spot in the Central Division, and their final run at the title must start at home on Sunday with a victory over the first-place Nashville Predators. The Jets have won four in a row to stay within striking distance of the Predators, reaching 100 points for the first time in franchise history with Friday's 3-2 overtime victory over Anaheim at home.
“Other than it’s cool, I don’t think a whole lot,” Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele, whose team trails Nashville by six points, told reporters of what it means to hit the century mark in points. “They don’t hand out awards for 100-point seasons. We’re happy with where our game is, but we’ve still got some games to go, and it’s an exciting time right now.” The Jets have won two straight in overtime and are 8-2-1 this month - with one of the regulation losses coming against the Predators, who have won three of the four meetings this season. Nashville had its 15-game point streak halted by Toronto on Thursday and suffered a 4-1 loss at Minnesota two nights later as it kicked off a quick two-game road trip. The Predators were limited to 20 shots by the Wild and received their lone goal from Ryan Johansen in the first period.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific (Winnipeg)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (48-16-10): Nashville’s power play has gone ice cold, converting just once in 27 opportunities over its last nine games after coming up empty on two chances against Minnesota. Filip Forsberg notched an assist in the loss for his fifth point in four games as he pushed his season total to 54 - second only to Viktor Arvidsson, who leads the team with 27 goals and 56 points. Austin Watson and defenseman Yannick Weber both left Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury and are questionable to face Winnipeg.
ABOUT THE JETS (45-19-10): Patrik Laine (team-best 43 goals) looked as though he might miss a few games after suffering a foot injury while blocking a shot on Tuesday, but he returned two nights later and registered five shots. Kyle Connor has scored six of his 28 goals in the last five games, and the 17th overall pick of the 2015 draft has recorded the winner in overtime in each of the team's last two contests. “It feels good. Every time you score in this league, it’s a good feeling,” Connor told reporters. “I’m just focusing on getting better each game, and that’s our biggest focus on the team.”
OVERTIME
1. Winnipeg RW Blake Wheeler has notched seven of his team-leading 83 points (one goal, six assists) during his five-game point streak.
2. Nashville C Mike Fisher, who sat out Saturday’s game for rest, is expected to be back in the lineup against the Jets.
3. Winnipeg D Toby Enstrom left Friday's game with a lower-body injury and is day-to-day.