Detroit @ Winnipeg preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 11, 2019 ) Detroit 2, Winnipeg 4

Mark Scheifele was the Winnipeg Jets’ first draft pick after the franchise relocated from Atlanta in 2011, and their long-time center continues sparking his team’s run of recent success entering Tuesday’s home contest with the Detroit Red Wings. Scheifele recorded his 400th career point at a critical time Sunday, scoring from the slot with 4:22 to play to lift Winnipeg past Anaheim 3-2 and give the Jets a 12-3-2 record since Nov. 1.

“You get him in the scoring zone, he’s one of the best there is,” Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice told reporters postgame in describing Scheifele, who scored twice Sunday to give him 16 points (nine goals) in his past 17 games. While the Jets continue to climb in the Central Division standings, the Red Wings began the week with an NHL-worst 17 points on the season and on an 0-9-2 streak - including nine consecutive losses in regulation - following Saturday’s 5-3 home setback against Pittsburgh. Detroit expects forward Justin Abdelkader to return Tuesday after missing 12 games with an upper-body injury, while forward and leading scorer Tyler Bertuzzi practiced Sunday after blocking a shot late in Saturday’s contest. “If we’re going to win games, we’re going to have to win games 3-2 and 2-1, and find ways to score dirty goals around the net,” Red Wings defenseman Alex Biega told reporters after Saturday’s game. “I think we’re recognizing that, and we’ve done a better job as of late.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, TSN3 (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (7-21-3): Bertuzzi, who has team highs with 15 assists and 25 points, picked up an assist against Pittsburgh but was slow to get up while protecting an empty net, as the Wings rallied from three goals down to within one before allowing an empty-net tally with nine seconds left. Center Dylan Larkin and forward Robby Fabbri each registered a goal and an assist Saturday, extending Larkin’s point streak to three games. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier allowed four goals on 23 shots before being pulled Saturday, dropping him to 0-5-1 in his past seven appearances with 25 goals surrendered in that span.

ABOUT THE JETS (18-10-2): Forward Kyle Connor assisted on Scheifele’s first goal Sunday, giving him 13 points (five goals) in his past 11 games and five points (one goal) in his past three contests. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck started the week tied for the league lead with 15 wins, and after stopping 31-of-33 shots Sunday improved to 5-0-1 in his past six games with seven goals surrendered and a .957 save percentage. Defenseman Neal Pionk registered an assist Sunday to give him four points (three assists) in his past six contests.

OVERTIME

1. Detroit is last in the NHL on the penalty kill at 72.2 percent, and has allowed eight power-play goals during its 11-game winless streak.

2. Former Jets G Eric Comrie relieved Bernier in the third period Saturday, stopping all four shots he faced in his Red Wings debut.

3. Winnipeg is 12-2-2 in one-goal games following Sunday’s victory.

PREDICTION: Jets 5, Red Wings 2