Jets at Lightning
THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Lightning have plenty of offensive firepower to get back in the playoff race, but they need a little better goaltending - and Mathieu Garon has provided that of late. Garon has won four straight games and is expected to start again Thursday when the Winnipeg Jets pay a visit to the Sunshine State. Garon also contributed an assist - the sixth of his career - on Steven Stamkos’ overtime winner against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday as the Lightning won their season-high fifth straight. In addition, Garon is 5-0-0 with three shutouts against the Winnipeg/Atlanta franchise. The Lightning shut out the visiting Jets 1-0 on Oct. 29, but had their 12-game win streak against the Winnipeg/Atlanta franchise snapped ob Nov. 14 in a 5-2 loss.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; TSN-Jets (Winnipeg), SunSports (Tampa).
ABOUT THE JETS (23-22-6): Winnipeg finished a lackluster January (4-8-1) on a high note with a 2-1 shootout win at the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. The Jets, who have struggled on the road (8-14-4), will play six of their next eight away from home. D Dustin Byfuglien, who has been out since Christmas with a knee injury, and D Alex Burmistrov (concussion) could return as soon as Thursday. F Antti Miettinen, who was claimed off waivers by Winnipeg after he came back from Europe and signed with Tampa Bay Dec. 12, has just three assists in 18 games.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (22-23-4): Martin St. Louis is getting in gear at the right time. The crafty wing has built a seven-game point streak that includes three goals – one each in the last three contests – and 12 points. Stamkos (33 goals) isn’t slowing down either, matching his season high with eight shots Tuesday while notching his sixth game-winning goal. D Victor Hedman and Fs Ryan Shannon, Tom Pyatt and J.T. Wyman all returned from injuries. F Ryan Malone (upper body) is still out.
OVERTIME
1. Tampa Bay is 5 for 55 on the power play in the last 18 games, but has killed 14 of the last 15 shorthanded situations.
2. Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler has 33 points, tied for the lowest amount for a team’s leading scorer.
3. Lightning F Vincent Lecavalier needs one tally for his 12th straight season with at least 20 goals.