Lightning at Jets
After failing miserably in a pair of tilts versus one Southeast Division rival, the Winnipeg Jets will try their luck against another on Sunday, when they conclude their four-game homestand against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Washington prevented Winnipeg from building on its two-point division lead over Carolina with a pair of lopsided decisions on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Tampa Bay isn't doing cartwheels entering Sunday's contest, either. The Lightning yielded the first four goals in both Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Toronto and Saturday's 5-3 setback to Ottawa. Teddy Purcell has goals in three of the last four contests for the Lightning, who sit five points behind the Hurricanes for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay) , TSN (Winnipeg)
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (13-17-1): Although Saturday won't be remembered fondly by the majority of the Tampa Bay players, Nate Thompson and rookie Tyler Johnson had every reason to smile. Thompson signed a four-year contract extension worth $6.4 million, according to multiple outlets. As for Johnson, he tallied twice to record his second multi-point performance during his four-game point streak. Johnson has played in five games with the Lightning.
ABOUT THE JETS (16-14-2): While Ondrej Pavelec has been the workhorse in Winnipeg, Al Montoya may get another shot at Tampa Bay on Sunday. The backup netminder turned aside 28 shots in the Jets' 2-1 victory over the Lightning on March 7. Winnipeg could use a shot in the arm from its special teams. The Jets are 1-for-15 on the power play over the last five games, while yielding four goals in their last 15 short-handed opportunities.
OVERTIME
1. Tampa Bay's 5-10-0 road mark is the second-worst in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia is 4-12-0.
2. The teams split the first two meetings in the Sunshine State, with the Lightning cruising to an 8-3 win on Feb. 1.
3. Following Sunday's contest, the Lightning will open a three-game homestand against Buffalo, New Jersey and Florida.