New York @ Winnipeg preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 2, 2018 ) Winnipeg 4, NY Rangers 3

The Winnipeg Jets found a way to break through and end a three-game losing streak Sunday at Buffalo, and return home to host the New York Rangers on Tuesday looking to build another winning streak as they fight for the Western Conference's top spot. As usual, it was one of the Jets' biggest stars leading the way as forward Blake Wheeler scored the go-ahead goal with 3:55 to play Sunday - his third goal in five games to go along with 55 assists this season.

“We did a good job of staying patient with that game, kind of doing all of the things that we preach before the game, and we got rewarded,” Wheeler told reporters after the Jets rebounded from allowing five goals in back-to-back games by killing all five Buffalo power-play opportunities. The Rangers wrapped up a five-game homestand Sunday with a 4-1 victory over Toronto, highlighted by goaltender Alexandar Georgiev making 55 saves to win on his 23rd birthday. “I tried not to concentrate on the birthday wishes,” Georgiev told reporters afterward. “I had an important game in front of me.” Center Mika Zibanejad continued his hot streak with his 11th goal in his past 10 games.

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

ABOUT THE RANGERS (24-23-8): Zibanejad’s hot streak has pulled him within four goals of his career high of 27 set last season, and his 54 points already represent a career best. Georgiev faced a withering 22 shots in the opening 20 minutes against Toronto (allowing his only goal in that frame), improving to 8-9-0 on the season in relief of Henrik Lundqvist. New York finished 2-2-1 on its homestand and open a four-game road trip sitting nine points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

ABOUT THE JETS (35-18-3): Center Mark Scheifele scored his team-leading 28th goal into an empty net with seven seconds left Sunday, adding to his assist on Wheeler's winner. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck gave up five goals in Thursday’s loss at Montreal but made 48 saves in that contest, and responded Sunday by stopping 35-of-36 shots. The Jets entered the week leading Nashville by two points in the Central Division while trailing conference-leader Calgary by one point, and their plus-34 goal differential ranked second in the West to the Flames (plus-41).

OVERTIME

1. Rangers F Chris Kreider, who leads the team with 24 goals, finished with two assists Sunday.

2. Jets D Josh Morrissey has recorded an assist in four consecutive games.

3. Scheifele scored a goal in regulation and recorded the game-winning tally in a shootout as the Jets downed the Rangers 4-3 on Dec. 2 in New York.

PREDICTION: Jets 3, Rangers 2