Capitals at Jets
THE STORY: Two weeks into the season, the thought of the Jets being above powerhouse Washington in the standings was little more than wishful thinking to Winnipeg fans. That scenario has become a reality as the Jets host the Capitals in a pivotal Southeast Division showdown Thursday night. A scheduling quirk saw Winnipeg play two-thirds of its games on the road over the first seven weeks of the season, leaving the club with a ridiculously home-heavy December. The Jets have taken full advantage, going 5-1-0 so far this month to vault a point ahead of the Capitals. Winnipeg has won all five of its home games so far in December. Washington opened the season with seven straight victories but has been one of the Eastern Conference's worst clubs since. Those struggles were on full display Tuesday as the Capitals looked completely overwhelmed on the way to a 5-1 home loss against the Philadelphia Flyers.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Maryland, TSN Winnipeg
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (15-13-1): The Flyers dominated every facet of the game against the Caps, looking like Stanley Cup contenders while relegating Washington to also-rans. "We turned it into a practice," Washington forward Jeff Halpern said afteward. "Our D-zone coverage (against) their cycle. They embarrassed us." Thursday kicks off a stretch that will see the Capitals play four of their next five games away from Washington.
ABOUT THE JETS (14-12-4): It didn't take long for Winnipeg to bounce back from a six-goal loss in Detroit. The Jets shaded the league-leading Minnesota Wild 2-1 Tuesday to move two games above the .500 mark. With seven of their final eight December games at the MTS Centre and the Jets now just six points back of the division-leading Florida Panthers, it's conceivable another strong home stretch could vault Winnipeg to the top of the heap in time for 2012.
OVERTIME:
1. The teams have split a pair of meetings this season. Winnipeg prevailed 4-1 on Nov. 17, while the Capitals answered with a 4-3 overtime triumph six nights later.
2. The Jets and Capitals are tied for second in the conference with 10 home wins apiece, but are a combined 9-16-4 on the road.