Jets look to overtake Rangers for eighth in East

WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Jets look to overtake the New York Rangers for eighth place in the Eastern Conference when the clubs meet Thursday at MTS Centre.

The Jets (13-11-2) will face the Rangers with a pair of tweaks to their lineup after a 5-2 home win Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Winnipeg recalled center Patrice Cormier from the St. John’s IceCaps of the American Hockey League on Wednesday to replace Jim Slater on the fourth line. Slater departed the game Tuesday with an apparent hand injury.

It also appears that center Alexander Burmistrov will be a healthy scratch for the second game in a row. Noel termed Burmistrov a game-time decision, but Burmistrov remained on the ice after the club's morning skate.

Winnipeg also recalled goaltender Edward Pasquale early Thursday to replace backup goaltender Al Montoya, who Noel said has aggravated a lower-body injury. Pasquale will dress in Montoya's place against the Rangers.

Here is what the Jets' lineup could look like Thursday:

Andrew Ladd – Bryan Little – Blake Wheeler

Evander Kane – Olli Jokinen – Kyle Wellwood

James Wright – Nik Antropov – Antti Miettinen

Eric Tangradi – Patrice Cormier – Chris Thorburn

Grant Clitsome – Dustin Byfuglien

Ron Hainsey – Zach Bogosian

Mark Stuart – Derek Meech

Ondrej Pavelec

Edward Pasquale

Scratched: Alexander Burmistrov, Paul Postma

Injured: Tobias Enstrom (shoulder), Anthony Peluso (hand), Zach Redmond (thigh), Jim Slater (hand), Al Montoya (lower body)