Capitals at Jets
The Winnipeg Jets had an excellent chance to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the Southeast Division this week. That did not work out so well as they suffered a 4-0 loss to Washington on Thursday, but the Jets have an opportunity to redeem themselves when they host the Capitals again on Friday. Washington got three points from captain Alex Ovechkin and a strong performance in goal from Braden Holtby in Thursday’s triumph.
Winnipeg still holds a two-point lead over the fading Carolina Hurricanes for the lead in the Southeast but is in the middle of a crucial stretch, with five of six games against division opponents. That run did not start off well with Thursday’s game, when the Jets failed to generate many chances and went 0-for-3 on the power play. The Capitals are trying to spring up the standings and trail the Jets by seven points and the Hurricanes by five for the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSN (Washington), CBC (Winnipeg)
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (13-16-1): Ovechkin made his presence felt on the defensive side Thursday as well, delivering a pair of key hits in the second period that slowed Winnipeg defenseman Mark Stuart and center Bryan Little. But more important was his performance in the offensive zone. Washington had averaged 1.9 goals in its previous seven games, going 2-5-0 in that stretch. The Capitals began a stretch of seven of eight on the road with a 2-1 loss at Pittsburgh on Tuesday but have a chance to make up some ground with a relatively easy schedule over the next few weeks. Only the Jets and Hurricanes among Washington’s next nine opponents are in the top eight in the East.
ABOUT THE JETS (16-13-2): Winnipeg is trying to bring the franchise to its first postseason since the Atlanta Thrashers took the Southeast in 2006-07. The Jets had gone 6-1-1 in the eight games prior to Thursday but have had their troubles against the Capitals at home this season. They claimed a 4-2 decision at Washington on Jan. 22 but were shut out 3-0 at home on March 2 and again in their own building on Thursday. Blake Wheeler, who had scored twice in three of the previous five games, was held to one shot on goal Thursday. Winnipeg will wrap up its four-game homestand against division foe Tampa Bay on Sunday before heading out on the road to face Carolina and Pittsburgh.
OVERTIME
1. Jets G Ondrej Pavelec has started eight games in a row but could get a rest on Friday in favor of veteran Al Montoya, who was activated on Thursday after missing time with a lower-body injury.
2. Ovechkin has found the net in three straight games and four of the last five.
3. Winnipeg D Tobias Enstrom (shoulder) has been practicing with the team and is questionable to return on Friday.