Jets at Islanders
THE STORY: The New York Islanders will close out their home schedule on Thursday by welcoming the Winnipeg Jets. Both teams will miss the 2012 playoffs. This is the fourth and final meeting between the clubs with the Islanders holding a 3-1 series lead. The Jets' lone win came in November, when they shutout the Islanders 3-0 in New York. PA Parenteau leads the Islanders with two goals and an assist in the three games.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN-Jets, MSG Plus 2
ABOUT THE JETS (37-34-9): Despite barely missing out on the playoffs, Winnipeg’s inaugural season has to be considered a success. A trip to the NHL’s second season would have been nice, but the Jets have a plan in place that should see them there in the near future. “The long-term success is what we’re about,” said Mark Chipman, Chairman of True North Sports and Entertainment. “It’s to be a team that is a perennial playoff team. A team that is going to have a .600 winning percentage, or better and be consistently in the playoffs. And then, given the right circumstances to go deep into the playoffs and eventually contend for a championship.”
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (33-36-11): The Islanders will close out their season on Saturday in Columbus. Sunday marks the beginning of another long off-season – a fifth straight without playoff action. But not all is doom and gloom on Long Island – thanks to a strong nucleus of players that is highlighted by John Tavares. Tavares recorded his 200th NHL point Tuesday in New Jersey, making him the second-fastest to the mark in Islander history behind Bryan Trottier. “He’s one of the elite players in the league,” said coach Jack Capuano. “He takes a lot of pride in his game and it’s important to him to play hard in very single game we play.”
OVERTIME:
1. Parenteau has scored both game-winning goals for the Islanders in their two wins versus the Jets.
2. Captain Mark Streit recorded his 150th point as an Islander on Tuesday with an assist.