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Jets visit Stars aiming to extend point streak

Dec 9, 2014 - 4:18 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Winnipeg Jets will try to rebound from a loss and continue their recent point streak when they visit the Dallas Stars for Tuesday's Central Division clash at American Airlines Center.

The Jets had a two-game win streak halted in Sunday's home test against Anaheim, but the 4-3 overtime loss also marked Winnipeg's sixth straight tilt (4-0-2) gaining at least a point. The Jets, who are currently sitting fourth in the Central, haven't suffered a regulation setback since a 4-2 home loss against St. Louis on Nov. 23.

Winnipeg trailed the Ducks 3-2 after 40 minutes on Sunday, but Jacob Trouba notched the equalizing goal with just 4:45 remaining in regulation. However, Anaheim would gain the extra point on Kyle Palmieri's goal less than a minute into the extra session.

Palmieri scored just 53 seconds into OT, beating Ondrej Pavelec with a sharp- angle shot from the left wing. Pavelec stopped only 21 shots in the setback.

Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien joined Trouba as the goal-scorers for the Jets.

"The effort was there, compete, our pace was good. We were aggressive in the offensive zone, created a lot off some turnovers down low. It was a good, solid game, just a disappointing result," said Jets head coach Paul Maurice.

The Jets will be without Evander Kane tonight after the forward was suspended two games for an illegal check against Anaheim's Clayton Stoner. Kane hit Stoner from behind at 19:49 of the second period and was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct. Stoner was not injured on the play.

Kane has four goals and six assists in 20 games this season. He will be eligible to return on Saturday when the Jets host the Ducks.

Winnipeg is beginning a brief two-game road trip tonight and also will visit Colorado on Thursday. The Jets are 8-4-3 as the guest this season.

The Stars, meanwhile, are hoping to build some momentum on home ice after halting a four-game slide with Saturday's 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. That tilt marked the start of a three-game homestand and pushed Dallas' record at American Airlines Center this season to 5-5-5. The Stars will cap this residency on Saturday when they host the New Jersey Devils.

Tyler Seguin powered the offense in Saturday's triumph over the Canadiens, finishing with two goals and an assist to help the Stars jump out to a 3-0 lead. It was the 12th multi-point game of the season for Seguin, who has an NHL-best 21 goals and is tied with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby for the scoring lead with 35 points.

Cody Eakin and Ryan Garbutt also scored, Jamie Benn assisted on both Seguin markers and Kari Lehtonen turned aside 16-of-17 shots for the Stars, who ended an 0-3-1 skid.

"That's the way we need to play," Dallas head coach Lindy Ruff said. "It starts by your best players doing the right things."

Tonight's tilt marks the first of four meetings between the Jets and Stars this season. Dallas went 3-1-1 in the 2013-14 season series and is 7-1-1 all- time in nine home tests against the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise.

Lehtonen and Pavelec expect to start in net tonight. Pavelec is 3-3-0 with a 4.12 goals against average in his career against Dallas, while Lehtonen, a former Atlanta Thrashers goalie, is 4-0-1 with a 1.50 GAA versus his old franchise.