Jets at Panthers
THE STORY: The Florida Panthers can claim the first division title in franchise history when they host the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Florida needs two points in its last three games to clinch its first playoff spot in 12 years, but can wrap up the Southeast Division and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference by beating the Jets. Having lost three straight and six of seven (1-2-4), the Panthers would love to make Thursday’s game at Washington meaningless.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN (Jets), FS Florida (Panthers)
ABOUT THE JETS (36-34-9): Winnipeg hung in the playoff race as late as 10 days ago before three straight losses KO'd its chances. The Jets did the Panthers a big favor by beating Southeast Division runner-up Washington twice in an eight-day span last month. Winnipeg has lost six of eight and surrendered 34 goals in that span. Kyle Wellwood scored his 18th goal Saturday's overtime loss at Tampa to match his career high. He has three goals in the last four.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (37-25-17): An inability to score has kept
Florida from putting a bow on the division crown. The Panthers have
managed only 11 goals in the last seven games – four of which were
scored by Tomas Fleischmann. Florida had played six straight games
against teams out of the playoff hunt before earning a crucial point in
Sunday's 2-1 shootout loss at Detroit. “I thought we played one of our
better games maybe of the season,” defenseman Brian Campbell said.
OVERTIME:
1. The Panthers have won three of five meetings this season, but were smoked in Winnipeg 7-0 on March 1.
2. Florida is 6-11 in shootouts this season.
3. Panthers left wing Kris Versteeg has six goals and two assists in four games against the Jets.