Lightning at Jets
The Winnipeg Jets enjoyed four days off to rest and refocus before continuing their quest for a playoff spot over the final six games. The Jets will try to extend their winning streak to four when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. Winnipeg is four points behind the first-place Washington Capitals in the Southeast Division and two back of the New York Rangers for eighth in the Eastern Conference. “It’s pretty obvious the importance of this week in determining our season,” Jets forward Evander Kane told the Winnipeg Sun. “To take some time off was nice, to relax the body a bit.”
The Lightning are only mathematically alive for the postseason after going 1-4-1 in their last six contests. Tampa Bay still can score, ranking second in the league in goals through Sunday, but sit near the bottom in goals against and have struggled on special teams.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Tampa Bay), TSN (Winnipeg)
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (17-22-3): Tampa Bay can be a spoiler, especially if Steven Stamkos heats up. The reigning Maurice Richard Trophy winner has only scored one goal in his last eight games while battling through injuries. Stamkos has tallied 26 times, trailing Washington’s Alex Ovechkin by one for the league lead. Stamkos and teammate Martin St. Louis each have 52 points, tied for second in the NHL. Ben Bishop, who signed a two-year contract extension on Monday, was in net for his first six games with the Lightning before sitting out Sunday’s 3-1 loss at Buffalo.
ABOUT THE JETS (21-19-2): Winnipeg is still in the bottom third of the league in goals against, but the Jets have raised their game in the defensive end lately. Winnipeg has allowed only four goals in the last three contests and killed all eight of its opponents' power-play opportunities. Ondrej Pavelec has stopped 84-of-88 shots (.955 save percentage) over the last three games after giving up four goals in each of his previous three outings. Captain Andrew Ladd leads the team with 38 points. Four of the Jets' final six games are at home, where they are 11-9-0. Defenseman Tobias Enstrom is out indefinitely with a back injury, which he sustained April 9 against Buffalo.
OVERTIME
1. Winnipeg has managed only one power-play goal in 25 opportunities over the last eight games.
2. Stamkos recorded three goals and two assists in three games this season against Winnipeg, two of which were won by the Jets.
3. Jets C Bryan Little has registered a goal and five assists with a plus-3 rating in the last three contests.