New Jersey @ Winnipeg preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 4, 2019 ) Winnipeg 5, New Jersey 4

It’s been a shaky beginning to the season for the New Jersey Devils, who visit the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday seeking back-to-back victories for just the second time this season. Defenseman P.K. Subban’s 100th career goal snapped a 3-3 third-period tie Saturday and helped lift New Jersey to a 5-3 road victory at Carolina, the Devils first triumph away from home this season.

“We know we can play with the best teams in the league, and it’s just finding that consistency and understanding that every play matters in these games,” Subban told reporters after Saturday’s victory, which gave New Jersey points in five of its past six contests. “Especially when you’re playing against a team like Carolina and these really top teams in the league.” The Jets also had a big weekend, surviving after giving up 53 shots on goal in a victory Friday at San Jose before rallying for a 4-3 overtime win Saturday at Vegas on Kyle Connor’s goal in extra time. Winnipeg has won three of its past four contests and opens a four-game homestand that includes Central Division matchups with Dallas and Colorado. “We have to get away from thinking we can be overly creative when we don’t need to be, and get back to speed, real speed, and battle,” Jets coach Paul Maurice told the media after the victory in Vegas. “I think we’re playing a much faster game.”

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

ABOUT THE DEVILS (3-5-4): Forward Taylor Hall leads New Jersey with 12 points and has at least one in nine of 12 games this season, with seven (six assists) coming during his current five-game point streak. Center Jack Hughes, the top overall pick in this year’s entry draft, registered his third goal of the season Saturday and in his past six games the 18-year-old has three goals with four assists. Mackenzie Blackwood recorded 24 saves Saturday to get the win after suffering losses in his previous two outings.

ABOUT THE JETS (8-7-0): Winnipeg’s forward lines were bolstered Saturday by the return of Patrik Laine (lower-body injury) and Adam Lowry (suspension), both of whom missed two games. Laine picked up his 11th assist Saturday and is tied with left wing Nikolaj Ehlers for second on the Jets in points with 14 - one behind center Mark Scheifele. Connor Hellebuyck, who made 51 saves Friday, is expected to start against New Jersey as Laurent Brossoit stopped 23 of 26 shots in Saturday’s victory.

OVERTIME

1. Jets D Tucker Poolman is listed as day-to-day after being held out of practice Monday with an upper-body injury, while D Nathan Beaulieu (upper body) may make his season debut Tuesday.

2. The Devils are 7-for-29 on the power-play across their past six games, after starting the season 0-for-18 with the man advantage.

3. New Jersey opened its season with a 5-4 shootout loss at home against Winnipeg on Oct. 4, as F Blake Coleman scored twice in the second period before the Devils blew a 4-0 lead.

PREDICTION: Jets 5, Devils 3