Jets at Canadiens
The Winnipeg Jets are proving they won't be a pushover when they make their second playoff appearance in seven seasons since relocating from Atlanta. Winnipeg aims for its ninth win in 10 contests - and 50th overall - Tuesday as it faces off against the Montreal Canadiens in its final road game of the regular season.
Winnipeg occupies second place in the Central Division but still has an outside shot at the crown as it trails first-place Nashville by five points with three games remaining. The Jets improved to 2-1-0 on their four-game trek on Monday as they outlasted Ottawa 6-5 behind a pair of goals from Blake Wheeler. The 31-year-old captain has landed on the scoresheet in nine of his last 10 contests, collecting four tallies and nine assists in that span, and hasn't been held without a point in consecutive games since Jan. 23 and 25. Montreal, which will be playing at home for the final time this season, looks to avoid a third straight loss after dropping a 2-1 decision to New Jersey on Sunday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), TSN2, RDS (Montreal)
ABOUT THE JETS (49-20-10): Connor Hellebuyck posted his 42nd victory of the season Monday despite allowing five goals, tying Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy for the league lead. Patrik Laine avoided the sophomore jinx this season as his 68 points eclipse the total from his fantastic rookie campaign (64) while he ranks second in the league with 43 goals. The 19-year-old Finn is in the midst of a slump, however, as he has been held without a point in seven consecutive contests.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (28-39-12): Carey Price put his name in the franchise record book Sunday as he appeared in his 556th game, tying Jacques Plante for first place among Montreal goaltenders. "It's a legendary name," Price told reporters. "Being able to be spoken of in the same breath as him is quite humbling." The 30-year-old Price, who is a former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, is three wins away from pulling even with Patrick Roy (289) for second place on the team list and 28 shy of matching Plante for first.
OVERTIME
1. Jets C Paul Stastny has registered 11 points in 16 games since being acquired from St. Louis, giving him his first 50-point season (51) since notching 60 in 2013-14 with Colorado.
2. Montreal D Mike Reilly, who appeared in his 100th NHL game on Sunday, has notched an assist in three straight contests.
3. Winnipeg D Sami Niku hopes to make his NHL debut against the Canadiens after being a healthy scratch on Monday - one day after being recalled from Manitoba of the American Hockey League.