Anaheim @ Winnipeg preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 13, 2019 ) Anaheim 3, Winnipeg 4

The Winnipeg Jets certainly cannot keep chasing games in the third period, but it has made for back-to-back thrilling comebacks for the Central Division leaders entering Saturday’s home contest against the struggling Anaheim Ducks. The Jets rallied in the final period before outlasting Boston in a shootout Tuesday, then scored twice in the final 12 minutes against Columbus on home ice Thursday to earn a 4-3 triumph on Kyle Connor’s game-winning marker with 1:14 to play.

It is not surprising to see Winnipeg do some of its best work in the final 20 minutes, considering the Jets have netted 39.7 percent of their goals this season (70 of 174) in the third period. “I don’t know what it is,” Connor told reporters after recording his third third-period goal in two games after he scored twice in the third Tuesday. “I think we tend to get stronger throughout the game.” Anaheim is mired in a stretch of 14 losses in 16 games (2-10-4) after falling 5-1 at home to St. Louis on Jan. 23, but the Ducks are hopeful 10 days off and the season debut of forward Corey Perry will help reverse their fortunes. “How much of a positive impact can he have helping that group,” Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle told reporters after paring Perry with Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell in Thursday’s practice. “Because the group has been starving for offense.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet West (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (21-21-9): Perry has missed the first four months following right knee surgery, and joins a team ranked 30th in the NHL in scoring at 2.29 goals per game. Forward Jakob Silfverberg, whose 12 goals leads the Ducks, has missed the past four games with a hamstring injury but Anaheim hopes he can play Saturday. Forward Daniel Sprong scored in the loss to St. Louis, giving him six points (three goals) in his past seven games.

ABOUT THE JETS (33-16-2): Connor, who also netted the shootout winner against Boston, has scored nine goals (13 points) in his past 11 games filling in on the top line while Nikolaj Ehlers heals from an upper-body injury. Center Mark Scheifele scored his team-leading 26th goal Thursday while forward Blake Wheeler contributed an assist, his 54th of the season as he ranks second in the NHL in that category. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is tied for second in the league in wins (23) and owns a .918 save percentage in his past eight games.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim G John Gibson gave up two goals on 68 shots in victories over Minnesota and New Jersey on Jan. 17 and Jan. 19, but surrendered five goals on 31 shots against St. Louis.

2. Winnipeg has won six home games in a row and is a conference-best 19-6-2 at home this season.

3. The Jets edged the Ducks 4-3 in overtime at home on Jan. 13 as F Bryan Little netted the game winner.

PREDICTION: Jets 5, Ducks 2