Winnipeg @ Columbus preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 23, 2019 ) Columbus 3, Winnipeg 4

The red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets look to extend their winning streak to a season-high six games before heading into the All-Star break when they host the scuffling Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night. The Blue Jackets, despite being hampered by several key injuries, own points in 19 of their last 21 games (15-2-4) and have allowed just three goals during the current winning streak after edging the New York Rangers 2-1 on Sunday.

“Right now, we’re just trying to ride the wave the best we can,” Columbus coach John Tortorella told reporters after Matiss Kivlenieks made 31 saves in his NHL debut for the win Sunday. “We’ll have some struggles along the way again, but I just believe the team will handle itself the right way.” The Blue Jackets are holding down one of the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference and sit just three points behind the New York Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division, while Winnipeg is trying to halt its freefall after losing five of the last six contests. The Jets have managed just four goals during their current three-game losing streak and need a victory Wednesday to avoid a winless trip that has already included a 5-2 loss at Chicago on Sunday and Tuesday’s 4-1 setback at Carolina, in which they recorded just 17 shots on net. “(The puck is) not bouncing for us, for sure,” Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler told reporters of a 3-1 first-period deficit. “. … Playing from behind is pretty challenging in this league when you’re playing against good teams.”

TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: FS Ohio, TVA, Sportsnet

ABOUT THE JETS (25-21-4): Patrik Laine has scored in back-to-back games to push his season total to 17 and the 21-year-old right wing boasts 28 assists - tied for his career high set during his rookie season in 2016-17. Center Mark Scheifele added an assist Tuesday and leads the team with 54 points, including 14 in the past 11 games, while Kyle Connor registered 13 of his 48 points in the same span. Connor Hellebuyck (21-15-4) turned aside 25 shots for his third straight loss Tuesday and backup Laurent Brossoit (4-5-0, .885 save percentage) is expected to get the call for Winnipeg, which is three points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (26-16-8): Right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand returned from a 13-game absence due to rib and oblique injuries to score twice in Sunday’s victory, moving within one of the team lead with 14 goals. Center Pierre-Luc Dubois shares the top spot on the club with defenseman Zach Werenski at 15 goals and leads the way with 35 points after recording a point against the Rangers, following a three-game drought. Elvis Merzlikins is expected back in net Wednesday after posting shutouts in three of his last four starts, and the 25-year-old Latvian is 8-2-0 with a .955 SP since No. 1 goalie Joonas Korpisalo went down with a knee injury.

OVERTIME

1. Winnipeg won the first meeting this season 4-3 on Nov. 23 with two points each from Wheeler and F Andrew Copp.

2. Columbus RW Cam Atkinson owns three goals and two assists in three games since missing the previous 12 with an ankle injury.

3. The Blue Jackets are 16-of-17 on the penalty kill the last nine games while the Jets converted one of 16 tries on the power play the past five contests.

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Blue Jackets 2