Perhaps a return home will help the Winnipeg Jets get back on track after a rough road stretch.
Losers of a season-high three straight, the Jets will aim for a sixth consecutive home win Tuesday night against the St. Louis Blues.
Winnipeg is 3-6-0 since winning 15 of its first 16 games. It just went 2-4-0 on an extended trip and totaled five goals while losing the final three.
Adam Lowry scored three minutes into Sunday’s contest to lead 1-0 at Dallas, but that was all the offense the Jets mustered in a 3-1 defeat.
“We’re in a grind right here,” Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said. “The heavy part of the schedule, it doesn’t get any easier.
“We’re happy with the compete and battle (Sunday) and certainly, 1-1 game going up to seven minutes left into the third period. We have to find ways to make the difference.”
The Jets can start by reigniting an offense that averaged 4.6 goals through the first 16 games, but just 2.3 in the last nine.
At least for the moment, Winnipeg will enjoy the confines of home, where it’s outscored opponents 43-22 while going 9-1-0.
Jets star Mark Scheifele managed just two assists during the six-game trip, but has totaled 16 of his 26 points in those 10 home contests. Scheifele has 10 goals with 11 assists in 21 career home games versus St. Louis.
The Blues have lost four straight overall against the Jets and five in a row at Winnipeg.
The Blues, though, are 2-0-1 since hiring Jim Montgomery, who was fired as coach of the Boston Bruins on Nov. 19. After allowing two goals while winning at the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils in the first two games under Montgomery, St. Louis lost 3-2 to Philadelphia in overtime at home Saturday.
“We’ve got to take that with us moving forward and keep working,” St. Louis goaltender Jordan Binnington said.
Jake Neighbours’ goal in the final seconds of regulation forced the extra session against the Flyers.
“Getting a point is good, but we’ve got to learn and grow from this,” Montgomery said.
Neighbours has recorded half of his eight goals in the last seven games. Meanwhile, teammate Dylan Holloway has three goals in the last two games and five points under Montgomery.
Binnington (2.87 goals-against average) made 28 saves versus Philadelphia. However, he owns a 3.54 GAA during his current 0-5-1 starting stretch against the Jets. Backup Joel Hofer has a 2.12 goals-against average in two starts versus Winnipeg.
Since Feb. 1, 2020, Jets star Connor Hellebuyck is 10-1-1 with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage versus St. Louis. Backup Eric Comrie has allowed at least three goals in all but one of his six starts this season.
Veteran Blues defenseman Nick Leddy has not played since Oct. 15 due to a lower-body injury, but is expected to travel with the team as they begin a four-game Canadian trip Tuesday. Pavel Buchnevich, St. Louis’ second-leading points performer with 15, remains day-to-day after suffering a lower-body injury Wednesday at New Jersey.
–Field Level Media
