Rangers at Jets
THE STORY: While the New York Rangers are doing their best to fend off the hard-charging Pittsburgh Penguins, the Winnipeg Jets are fighting just to remain in the postseason equation. Winnipeg, which sits eight points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference, will have a tall order on Wednesday when it hosts New York. The Jets have been outscored 8-1 in three losses to the Rangers.
TV: 7 p.m., TSN, RIS
ABOUT THE RANGERS (48-21-7): Ruslan Fedotenko's late tally enabled New York to secure a 3-2 win over Minnesota on Tuesday and pull three points ahead of Pittsburgh. Despite facing a reeling opponent, the Rangers seem content to win close contests. Coach John Tortorella's club has secured six of its last eight wins by one-goal margins. Marian Gaborik, who netted his third goal in two games, has feasted on the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers. The All-Star has 10 tallies in 16 games versus the franchise and is just two goals shy of his third career 40-goal season.
ABOUT THE JETS (35-33-8): Poor goaltending and defensive miscues were on display during Winnipeg's 6-4 loss to Ottawa on Monday. "Those turnovers kill you, and I don't think it was just tonight," goaltender Ondrej Pavelec said. "So many games we lost like that. ... After this one we can't expect to make the playoffs. But we're still there." With six contests remaining, the Jets may not be "there" for long as eighth-place Buffalo is riding a five-game winning streak.
OVERTIME:
1. Martin Biron stopped all 23 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over the Jets on Nov. 6. Not to be outdone, All-Star Henrik Lundqvist turned aside 22 shots in a 3-0 triumph over Winnipeg on Jan. 24.
2. After going goalless in his previous 34 games, Winnipeg right wing Antti Miettinen tallied twice on Monday and has four goals in his last five contests. The 31-year-old Finn has just one career point in seven matches versus the Rangers.