The Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators barely had time to miss each other as the Central Division foes face off for the second time in nine days this Tuesday night in Winnipeg.
The teams have split their previous matchups, with Winnipeg securing a 3-0 road victory on Dec. 30 after the Predators claimed a 4-1 home win on Nov. 23.
The Jets are at the season’s halfway point, sitting in first in the division and second overall in the NHL, despite coming off a 4-2 loss to the visiting Detroit Red Wings in their 41st game on Saturday.
“Obviously, the first half is a great start. We’ve talked about eliminating teams and putting ourselves in a position so we can be in a spot to make the playoffs,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said after the Detroit loss. “We still have 41 to go. Still a lot of hockey … a lot of work to go.”
Winnipeg’s journey has had its ups and downs, as the Jets are on a three-game winless streak (0-2-1), including back-to-back losses to lower-ranked teams — the Red Wings and the visiting Anaheim Ducks, who defeated them 4-3 in overtime on Jan. 2.
“Being around this league throughout my career, there is never an easy two points in the NHL,” said defenseman Josh Morrissey, who leads Winnipeg with 33 assists. “We just saw that, obviously two teams that are well below us in the standings, we gave up three out of four points. We need to come out with a good start, a better start, and just continue to be who we are and who we’ve been for the first 40 games. When we do that, we’re a really good hockey team.”
With the Predators — winners of two straight after a three-game skid — on the outside of the postseason race, they are looking to their younger players for a boost, including Fedor Svechkov.
The rookie center provided a goal and an assist for his first career multi-point game in a 4-1 win over the Flames on Saturday.
“I feel that guys are alive after the game, you know? Like it’s nice to have a win, for what we put in … just to have a good feeling after the game,” Svechkov said.
“Much more confident,” he continued when asked about his growth. “The first time you suit up it’s like you’re shaking, it’s more difficult than it seems … I felt like I wasn’t myself … this time I felt like I go out and earn my spot.”
Svechkov rejoined the lineup after being recalled from AHL affiliate Milwaukee, where he collected five goals and 12 points in 13 games.
“I thought he looked much more comfortable. I thought he played great,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “Could be a difference-maker for us here, a center that can skate with speed through the middle of the ice. He’s reliable, he’s competitive and just continuing to grow his game.”
The Jets’ Colin Miller is day-to-day after taking a puck to the throat on Saturday. He joins fellow defensemen Dylan Samberg (broken foot) and Haydn Fleury (lower body), who are on injured reserve.
For the Predators, Jeremy Lauzon (lower body) went on injured reserve on Monday, with fellow defenseman Kevin Gravel called up from Milwaukee. Forward Tommy Novak is day-to-day.
–Field Level Media
