The Winnipeg Jets (12-11-2) host the Toronto Maple Leafs (15-10-1) this evening from MTS Centre.
The Jets are three points behind Carolina for first place in the Southeast Division and two points behind the New York Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Carolina plays in Washington tonight while the Rangers are in Buffalo.
Ondrej Pavelec starts his third straight game in goal for the Jets. He backstopped his team to three of a possible four points in the last two games.
Chris Thorburn returns to action after being a healthy scratch for the last four games.
Head coach Claude Noel would not confirm this morning, but expect
Alexander Burmistrov to sit tonight. He played a season-low nine minutes and 22 seconds Sunday in New Jersey.
In the last three games,
Evander Kane has 20 shots on goal (nine at Tampa, one at Florida, 10 at New Jersey). He ended a five-game scoring drought with his 10th of the season against the Devils.
Derek Meech is expected to play his second straight game after making his regular season debut Sunday. His ice time was 12 minutes and 46 seconds.
Nik Antropov is the lone Jet currently on a point streak. He has one assist in his last two games.
James Reimer starts in goal for Toronto, who are winless in their last two games having been outscored 6-2 by Boston and Pittsburgh.
Clarke MacArthur is on a two-game point streak (one goal and two assists).
The Leafs beat the Jets 3-2 February 7th at MTS Centre in their first meeting of the season. The teams play again Saturday in Toronto.
