Jets seek return to win column against Wild

WILD (20-14-5) AT JETS (16-18-5)

TV: FS-N, TSN-JETS

Last 10: Minnesota 4-6-0; Winnipeg 3-6-1

Season series: This is the fourth of five games between the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets. The Wild won each of the three previous games by one goal, including a 3-2 shootout victory in their last game Nov. 23 in Winnipeg.

Big story: The Jets already have six winless streaks of at least three games and will try to avoid another after losses to the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers.

Team scope:

Wild: Minnesota has struggled offensively with nine regulation goals in seven games, and has scored more than two regulation goals just once in nine games. They dropped to 0-3-0 on a four-game road trip that concludes in Winnipeg after a 4-1 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.

"Flat out, we need to be better. It's every one of us. It starts with me. We have to be better," coach Mike Yeo said. "There's no way we can accept this. It's not us. We have to fix it. That said, this is the same group that will fix it. I have no doubt."

It doesn't help that the Wild's second leading goal scorer, Zach Parise, missed the game with a lower-body injury and will be out again Friday. The holiday break came at a good time for the Wild.

"We need to dig deep. It's a good time to have a few days to reflect and try to reset our mind," center Kyle Brodziak told the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Jets: Winnipeg allowed a season-high eight power plays Monday in a 6-2 loss to the Oilers. Edmonton went 2-for-8 with the man advantage.

"Frustrating doesn't begin to describe it," left wing Andrew Ladd said after the loss. "A team like this, you know they have a lot of offensive guys that can hurt you. You don't want to put them on the power play, and you don't want to turn the puck over and give them chances off the rush, and we did both of those things."

The Jets have one winning streak of longer than two games this season, and the lack of consistency has hurt them in the standings. Winnipeg has 36 points, which has them in sixth place in the Central Division, eight points out of the final playoff spot.

"Consistency. We haven't been able to find it all year. It's one good game and then we take a break," defenseman Mark Stuart said.

Who's hot: Evander Kane has three goals and five points in five games for the Jets. … Ryan Suter has an assist in seven straight games for the Wild.

Injury report: The Wild are without goalie Josh Harding (multiple sclerosis treatment), who is on injured reserve. In addition to Parise, Clayton Stoner (lower body) is expected to be out after not playing Monday. … Jim Slater (sports hernia), Paul Postma (blood clot) and Matt Halishuck (forearm) are on IR for the Jets.