Winnipeg @ Edmonton preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 13, 2018 ) Edmonton 4, Winnipeg 5

The Winnipeg Jets have hit a stumbling block on offense, and now their defense has sustained a big loss entering Monday’s visit to the Edmonton Oilers. The Jets announced Sunday they will be without defenseman Dustin Byfuglien for at least a month after he suffered a left ankle injury in Saturday’s home defeat to Minnesota, a game in which the high-powered Winnipeg offense mustered only one goal for the fourth time in the past five games.

But Winnipeg is not panicking about the recent lack of goals as coach Paul Maurice told reporters after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat: “We haven’t scored a lot of goals our last five games. That’s the story. That’s the easy story, but it’s not a telling one for me.” The Jets hope a trip west will ignite the offense against an Oilers squad riding a five-game losing streak into New Year’s Eve after Saturday’s 7-4 setback to San Jose. Center Connor McDavid scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season, giving him three consecutive seasons with 20-plus goals, but it wasn’t enough as Edmonton has allowed 25 goals during its skid. “When you stop fighting for each other and you sag, you get scored on and get outplayed,” Edmonton coach Ken Hitchcock told the media afterward. “Lately, we have sagged way too easy and it’s hurt us a lot.”

TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), Sportsnet West (Edmonton)

ABOUT THE JETS (24-12-2): Byfuglien’s loss is impactful, considering he ranks fourth on the Jets in points (29) while helping to set the physical tone defensively and consistently is one of the team leaders in ice time. Forward Patrik Laine snapped a five-game goalless streak with his team-leading 24th of the season Saturday, moving into a tie for fourth in the NHL. Forward Blake Wheeler drew an assist and is tied for second in the league with 44.

ABOUT THE OILERS (18-17-3): McDavid has scored or assisted on seven of the past nine Edmonton goals (two goals, five assists). Forward Ty Rattie picked up a career-high three assists Saturday, snapping a 13-game pointless streak. Goaltender Cam Talbot dropped to 7-11-2 on the season after allowing all seven San Jose goals on 40 shots, and has not recorded a victory since Dec. 7.

OVERTIME

1. McDavid ranks fourth in the NHL in points (56) and has 264 since the start of the 2016-17 season, the most by any NHL player.

2. Winnipeg D Joe Morrow will make his first appearance since Nov. 27 in Byfuglien’s spot, Maurice told reporters Sunday.

3. The first two meetings this season have ended with each team earning a 5-4 overtime victory in Winnipeg with the Oilers occurring Oct. 16 on a Darnell Nurse goal and the Jets returning the favor Dec. 13 on Josh Morrissey’s winner.

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Oilers 3