Winnipeg @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2018 ) Los Angeles 1, Winnipeg 2

Mark Scheifele has developed into one of the better centers in the NHL and a huge part of the Winnipeg Jets, and he enters Tuesday’s game at the Los Angeles Kings on quite the hot streak. Scheifele has scored five goals - including back-to-back overtime game winners - and recorded nine assists during the Jets current five-game winning streak, earning him NHL second star of the week honors 14 days after he was the league’s first star of the week.

“On the hockey side of things, it’s obviously going well,” Scheifele told reporters after the Jets 5-4 overtime victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday, as the Jets rallied from three one-goal deficits to snap the Lightning’s eight-game winning streak. “I play with some pretty special players and I play on a pretty special team.” While Sunday’s thriller moved Winnipeg to the top of the Central Division standings, the Kings have the worst record in the NHL and own the second-worst goal differential (minus-31). Los Angeles’ losing streak grew to four games Saturday with a 4-3 overtime setback at Pittsburgh. “Every guy is upset when we lose,” Los Angeles interim coach Willie Desjardins told the media afterward. “I believe in the leaders on this team and I think they want to win.”

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), FS West (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE JETS (22-9-2): Scheifele’s hot streak has propelled him to fifth in the NHL in points (46) and tied for fourth in goals (21) entering Monday - two tallies behind teammate Patrik Laine. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has won six of his last seven starts, giving up 19 goals and posting a .912 save percentage in that stretch. The Jets lead the NHL in power play percentage (30.8 percent) and have nine power-play goals during their winning streak.

ABOUT THE KINGS (11-20-3): Los Angeles has struggled to score all season, ranking last in the NHL in goals per game (2.18) and 28th on the power play (14.3 percent) through Sunday. The Kings dressed four rookies Saturday due to injuries, including forward Matt Luff, who scored his seventh goal in 20 games in the Pittsburgh loss. Goaltender Jonathan Quick made 32 saves Saturday, but his record dropped to 2-8-2 with a career-low .892 save percentage.

OVERTIME

1. The Jets defeated Los Angeles in Winnipeg in the third game of the season, getting goals from Scheifele and F Kyle Connor in a 2-1 triumph.

2. Winnipeg F Mathieu Perreault has scored in four straight games, the longest streak of his career.

3. The Kings are in the midst of playing six of seven games away from home.

PREDICTION: Jets 5, Kings 1