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WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets extended their win streak to six games after defeating the Washington Capitals 5-4 in overtime on Saturday night. The Jets went a perfect 3-0-0 on their road trip after victories over Montreal, Boston, and Washington. Winnipeg begins a two-game homestand on Tuesday when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in their first meeting of the season.

The big news tonight is that Mark Scheifele is one goal away from becoming the Jets/Thrashers all-time leader with 329. He is currently tied with Ilya Kovalchuk atop the franchise list. As exciting as it is for the organization and for Jets fans who will be in attendance, the record is not his primary focus.

“Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I just want to go out there and play my best and do what’s required, shift in and shift out,” said Scheifele.

“Obviously, that would be amazing, and we just want to end before the break on a good note.”

It was Scheifele who set up Josh Morrissey for the game winning goal in overtime Saturday in Washington. While it would have been great to break the record on the road trip, should it happen here in Winnipeg over the next couple of games before the 4-Nations Face-Off break will make it even more special.

“My experience as a player, I don’t score as many goals as Scheif, but he’ll take them anywhere, at home, on the road, in any situation,” said Morrissey.

“But certainly, if it works out that he finishes off that record at home, I’m sure he’ll get a huge ovation from the fans, and I know that would mean more to him to be able to do that. He’s grown up in Winnipeg and he committed to being a Jet hopefully for his entire career, and that’s pretty special.”

Scoring against the Hurricanes will not be easy as they are one of the most aggressive teams in the NHL either defending or coming after the Jets on the forecheck as well. It’s been Carolina’s calling card since Rod Brind’ Amour took over as head coach back in 2018.

“They put a lot of pressure on the puck. At times you’ll see a defenceman up by their defensive blueline, forwards down low, it’s the pressure that he (Brind’ Amour) expects them to do,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel.

“They come at you quick, so it means you have to play fast. You gotta do things a heck of a lot quicker than we’ve done in the past.”

From a lineup perspective, there will not be any changes from the winning roster from the Capitals game except between the pipes. Eric Comrie will get the call this evening against the Hurricanes looking for his second straight win after beating Calgary back on January 26.

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The Hurricanes made a big splash trading for all-star forward Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall in a three-team deal that included Colorado and Chicago. Rantanen has 28 points (10G, 18A) in 28 career games against the Jets. The Finnish forward will play on Carolina’s top line with Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake.

“When he gets that puck on his stick, him and certainly his countryman, Aho, playing together, there's some chemistry there. You can see it happening pretty quick,” said Arniel.

“Elite player. We just saw a couple of those guys recently on the road. So, you have to know where they are, you have to pay special attention to them.”

The Jets have won the last two games against the Hurricanes at Canada Life Centre, and five of the past seven meetings. Carolina has held Winnipeg to three goals or less in five of the past six games in Manitoba.