Jets at Capitals
THE STORY: The Winnipeg Jets travel to Washington on Thursday for the fourth of six meetings with the Capitals this season. Washington leads the season series 2-1 and has won 10 of its last 11 home games against the Jets. Winnipeg sits four points behind Washington for the Southeast Division lead and five points behind the Ottawa Senators for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals blanked the Florida Panthers 4-0 on Tuesday to reclaim top spot in the division.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN-Jets (Winnipeg), Comcast (Washington)
ABOUT THE JETS (25-24-6): The Jets haven’t scored more than two goals in their last eight games away from home. The loss of top goal scorer Evander Kane for seven games due to a concussion hasn’t helped Winnipeg’s scoring woes. The Jets are 6-10-1 in 2012 after posting an impressive 10-3-1 record in December. Ondrej Pavelec has been solid in goal, allowing six goals in his last four starts. He has a 1.99 goals-against average in three games versus the Capitals this season.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (28-21-4): Tomas Vokoun has posted two shutouts in three games and is the main reason why the Capitals are clinging to a one-point lead in the Southeast Division. Captain Alex Ovechkin netted two goals in Tuesday’s victory over the Panthers after being held without a point in the previous two games. The Capitals are an impressive 9-4-1 against divisional foes and 22-13-4 against Eastern Conference opponents this season.
OVERTIME:
1. Ovechkin has scored more goals (31) and recorded more points (65) against the Jets/Thrashers franchise than against any other opponent.
2. Pavelec is 4-1-1 with a 1.16 goals-against average in his last six starts against Washington.
3. Winnipeg C Kyle Wellwood won’t play on Thursday due to flu-like symptoms. He leads the team with four points against the Capitals this season.