Two Southeast division rivals square off for the first time this season when the Winnipeg Jets (3-3-1) visit Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning (5-1-0).
Last Sunday the Jets came back from a 4-2 deficit to the NY Islanders and managed a 5-4 Overtime win. Since then however, the team has lost two straight games. On Tuesday the Montreal Canadiens beat them 4-3 and on Thursday, the Jets fell victims to the Florida Panthers in a 6-3 onslaught. The team has gotten solid goal scoring overall but their defense is ranked 27th in the league.
Winnipeg Leading Scorers
Points:Tobias Enstrom (8)
Goals: Blake Wheeler, Evander Kane, Dustin Byfuglien (3)
Assists: Tobias Enstrom (7)
GAA: Ondrej Pavelec (2.97 GAA)
SV %: Ondrej Pavelec (.906)
Wins: Ondrej Pavelec (2)
The Lightning missed the playoffs last season, but the team looks like the favorite to win the Southeast division. After losing to the NY Islanders on Jan 21, Tampa Bay has pulled off four straight decisive victories. On Jan. 22 they took down the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 and three days later they destroyed a solid Ottawa team 6-4. On Jan. 27, the Lightning took down Philadelphia 5-1 and two days later trounced the Panthers 5-2.
Tampa Bay Leading Scorers
Points: Martin St. Louis (12)
Goals: Steven Stamkos (4)
Assists: Martin St. Louis (9)
GAA: Mathieu Garon (1.00)
SV %: Mathieu Garon (.972)
Wins: Anders Lindback (4)
Previous Encounters: The teams split the six meetings last year.
Predictions: Tampa Bay is off to a tremendous start and has more weapons than Winnipeg. 6-2 Lightning.
Start Time: 7:30 PM EST
TV: TSN-Jets; SUN
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