Calgary @ Winnipeg preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 27, 2018 ) Calgary 4, Winnipeg 1

The Winnipeg Jets own a one-point lead over Nashville in the Central Division with two games in hand but are not necessarily playing like a first-place team heading into Saturday's home contest against the Calgary Flames. Winnipeg defeated Boston 4-3 on Thursday for its second victory in five games, but coach Paul Maurice - whose club is 7-9-2 since winning 34 of its first 52 contests - doesn't appear to be worried.

“It’s just slowly moving your team to get really comfortable with the kind of hockey that’s played at this time of year,” Maurice told reporters. The Flames have become a streaky bunch as Friday's 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers was their third straight and moved them back into first place in the Pacific Division, one point ahead of San Jose. Calgary has scored 20 goals during its winning streak, which has come on the heels of four straight losses, seven consecutive victories and a four-game slide (0-2-2). The Flames have won the first two of three meetings this season by a combined 10-4 as Johnny Gaudreau has scored four goals, including a hat trick in a 4-1 victory at Winnipeg on Dec. 27 that has given him nine goals and 18 points in 13 career games versus the Jets.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Pacific (Calgary), Sportsnet West (Winnipeg)

ABOUT THE FLAMES (44-20-7): Matthew Tkachuk has recorded six of his 32 goals and 10 of his 73 points in the last three games after scoring twice as part of a career-high five-point performance versus New York that included his 100th NHL assist. Gaudreau (team highs of 34 goals, 91 points) scored his fourth goal in two games on Friday after being held without a point in his previous three contests. Sean Monahan (31 goals, 76 points) left with an undisclosed injury after the first period and is expected to miss Saturday's game.

ABOUT THE JETS (41-25-4): Captain Blake Wheeler paces the club with 86 points - 18 (eight goals) in his last 11 games - and his 66 assists are tied for second in the league with Edmonton's Connor McDavid. Mark Scheifele (team-high 33 goals, 78 points) recorded a goal and two assists on Thursday after enduring a five-game point drought. Patrik Laine (29 goals, 48 points) hasn't scored a goal in seven contests but has notched six assists in as many games, telling reporters: "I'm not just a shooter, I guess. I'm a pretty decent passer as well."

OVERTIME

1. Seven of the Flames' final 10 games come against teams out of a playoff position.

2. Winnipeg G Connor Hellebuyck owns the highest goals-against average among No. 1 goaltenders on a team occupying a playoff spot (3.01).

3. Calgary G Mike Smith (illness) participated in Friday's morning skate and is expected to start versus the Jets after David Rittich made 24 saves against the Rangers to win his third straight start.

PREDICTION: Jets 3, Flames 2