New York @ Winnipeg preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 4, 2018 ) Winnipeg 3, NY Islanders 1

The New York Islanders play at the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday in a matchup of teams looking forward to the playoffs, but both squads have work in front of them before the end of the regular season. The Islanders were shut out for the third time in five games in Tuesday’s 4-0 loss at Columbus and trail first-place Washington by three points in the Metropolitan Division, while the Jets’ lead over Nashville in the Central Division sits at two points following Monday’s 5-2 home loss to Dallas.

The Islanders have scored just six goals in their past five contests, four coming in Saturday’s victory over Philadelphia, and remain tied with Pittsburgh for second place in the division with five games to play. “It was a playoff game, plain and simple,” New York coach Barry Trotz told the media after Tuesday’s defeat. “There’s not a lot of room. You’ve got to create it.” Coming off a big victory over Nashville on Saturday, the Jets were flat in giving up the first four goals of the game against Dallas two days later. “We’ve got to work hard for every single chance and not give them anything,” Winnipeg forward Patrik Laine told reporters afterward. “That wasn’t a very good game from us.”

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

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (44-26-7): New York has been the best defensive team in the league most of the season, giving up a NHL-low 2.38 goals per game, but has surrendered four or more three times in the past five games. The goaltending tandem of Robin Lehner (third in the NHL with a .928 save percentage) and Thomas Greiss (fifth at .926) continues to excel, although Greiss allowed seven goals his last two games. Center Mathew Barzal leads New York with 59 points, but has just one assist in his past five games.

ABOUT THE JETS (45-27-4): Laine snapped a 12-game goal drought with his 30th of the season late in the third period Monday, while forward Kyle Connor also scored to give the NHL First Star of the Week six goals (10 points) in his past five contests. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who shut out Nashville on Saturday, gave up four goals on 36 shots against Dallas. The Jets, who have six games remaining (the final four on the road), are fourth in the league on the power play (25.5 percent) and seventh in scoring (3.34 goals per game).

OVERTIME

1. Islanders F Michael Dal Colle played Tuesday for the first time since March 9, replacing F Andrew Ladd, who is lost for the season after suffering a knee injury Saturday.

2. Jets D Dustin Byfuglien, out since Feb. 14 with an ankle injury, practiced Wednesday but is not expected to play against New York.

3. Winnipeg F Blake Wheeler assisted on two goals as the Jets beat the Islanders 3-1 in New York on Dec. 4.

PREDICTION: Jets 3, Islanders 2