Rangers at Jets
THE STORY: Hotel life is finally coming to an end for the New York Rangers - at least, for the foreseeable future. The Rangers wrap up a marathon seven-game road trip Monday against the surging Winnipeg Jets. New York is the only team yet to play a home game this season because of ongoing renovations at Madison Square Garden. The result: A two-game opener overseas, followed by a brief stopover in Long Island and a grueling four-game swing through Western Canada. That the Rangers have come through it with six points in six games is impressive, but they'll be in tough Monday against a Jets club that is coming off its best offensive showing since relocating from Atlanta in the off-season.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, MSG+ (New York), TSN (Winnipeg)
ABOUT THE RANGERS (2-2-2): New York may have to do without netminder Henrik Lundqvist, who suffered a foot injury in Saturday's shutout loss to the Edmonton Oilers because of equipment problems. His absence would mean the first start of the season for journeyman backup Martin Biron, who made 15 starts with the club last season. Biron is only 6-11-0 lifetime against the Winnipeg franchise with a 3.31 goals-against average in 17 starts.
ABOUT THE JETS (2-4-1): It took only one 15-minute burst for Winnipeg to show its offensive chops Saturday night. The Jets scored five times in that span, then held on for a 5-3 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes. Winnipeg has earned five out of a possible eight points over its last four games after opening the season with three straight defeats. Second-year forward Alex Burmistrov has been the catalyst, leading the club with six points in seven games.
OVERTIME:
1. Winnipeg starting netminder Ondrej Pavelec has been sensational against the Rangers in his career, going 2-0-1 with a 1.30 goals-against average in three games.
2. The Winnipeg franchise won three of four meetings last season, scoring 14 goals in the series. The Rangers' only victory came in a 3-2 shootout Jan. 22.
3. Rangers forward Marian Gaborik has had some success against Monday's opponent, scoring eight goals and adding eight assists in 13 career encounters.