New York @ Winnipeg preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 6, 2019 ) Winnipeg 1, NY Islanders 4

After allowing five goals in back-to-back losses last week, the New York Islanders have found their footing entering Thursday’s contest at the Winnipeg Jets. The Islanders posted a 3-2 shootout victory Saturday over Florida before some late-game heroics led to a 3-2 overtime triumph Monday over St. Louis, as Brock Nelson scored with 5:31 left in regulation, Mathew Barzal evened the score with 27 seconds to go and Devon Toews scored the winner 1:13 in overtime.

“We have guys that are stepping in, and in big roles, too, and making plays for us,” Toews told reporters afterward, referencing the Islanders missing forwards Casey Cizikas and Jordan Eberle due to undisclosed injuries. “That’s what our team is about, and we’ll take that.” Thomas Greiss played well in goal for the Islanders, who now look to sweep the season series from the Jets after beating Winnipeg 4-1 at home on Oct. 6. Winnipeg’s defense struggled in its past two games, allowing 11 goals in home losses to Pittsburgh and Arizona, as the Jets try to steady a blueline that has surrendered fewer than four goals only three times in eight contests. Center Mark Scheifele recorded a goal and an assist in Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat against the Coyotes, moving into a tie for the NHL lead in points with 12 (along with teammate Patrik Laine) entering Wednesday’s schedule.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New York), TSN3 (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (3-3-0): Nelson has four points in his past three games, finishing Monday’s contest and Friday’s loss at Carolina with one goal and one assist, and scored his first goal of the season against Winnipeg. Toews' game winner against St. Louis gives him two goals and two assists through six games, one year after registering five goals and 13 assists in 48 games as a rookie. Forward Oliver Wahlstrom - New York’s first-round (11th overall) draft pick in 2018 - played well in his NHL debut Monday, recording two shots on goal in 15:13 of ice time.

ABOUT THE JETS (4-4-0): Scheifele extended his point streak to five games and has nine points (three goals) in that span, while Laine has recorded at least one point in seven of his first eight games (three goals, nine assists). Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck gave up four goals on 35 shots Tuesday as his three-game winning streak ended. Winnipeg is 4-for-16 on the power play in its past three games after beginning the season 1-for-11 with the man advantage, but in those past three contests has surrendered four power-play goals and two shorthanded scores.

OVERTIME

1. Jets C Bryan Little (concussion) practiced Wednesday, but coach Paul Maurice told reporters afterward the team will wait until Thursday morning to determine if Little can make his season debut.

2. Cizikas and Eberle did not travel to Winnipeg and have been ruled out of Thursday’s game, along with Saturday’s contest at Columbus, Islanders coach Barry Trotz told reporters after practice Wednesday.

3. Greiss, who stopped 21 of 23 shots to down the Blues, made 35 saves in the victory over Winnipeg.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Jets 2