Senators at Jets
THE STORY: Games
against the Northeast Division have been particularly cruel to the
Winnipeg Jets franchise of late. They will try to reverse that trend
Tuesday as they open a five-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators.
The Jets wrapped up a three-game road trip Saturday with a 4-2 defeat at
the hands of the Boston Bruins. The loss dropped Winnipeg to 3-14-1 in
its last 18 contests against Northeast opponents. Fortunately for the
Jets, they have home ice on their side - and plenty of it. Winnipeg has
won three straight at the MTS Centre and Tuesday marks the beginning of a
stretch that will see the Jets play 13 of their next 15 games in
Manitoba. The Senators are right back on the road following a one-game
reprieve against Carolina. Prior to their 4-3 win over the Hurricanes on
Sunday, Ottawa had played six straight on the road, going 3-2-1. This
is the Senators' first visit to Winnipeg since Feb. 8, 1996.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, RS East (Ottawa), TSN (Winnipeg)
ABOUT THE SENATORS (11-10-2):
Ottawa star Jason Spezza made sure the team's first home game in 18
days was a special one. Spezza halted an 11-game dry spell with two
goals - including the 200th of his career - in a narrow victory that
wound up being the final game behind the bench for Carolina coach Paul
Maurice. Spezza's virtuoso performance overshadowed a big night from
defenseman David Rundblad, who added his first career NHL goal.
ABOUT THE JETS (9-10-4):
Winnipeg keeps surging to the .500 mark among regulation games, but
can't seem to rise above it. The Jets have reached even ground twice in
the past 10 days, only to follow up with a loss both times. They'll have
ample opportunity to make a move in December, with games in Detroit on
the 10th and Colorado on the 27th marking the club's lone contests
outside Winnipeg. That bodes well for a team that is 5-3-0 in its own
building this season.
OVERTIME:
1. The teams have split the last six meetings.
2. Rundblad was a healthy scratch in five consecutive games prior to Saturday.
3.
The Jets are down five injured defenseman, including power-play
specialist Tobias Enstrom (collarbone) and veteran Randy Jones (foot).