GAMEDAY: Jets at Hurricanes

RALEIGH -With two wins in the first two stops on a three-game trek, the Winnipeg Jets (38-26-3) have already guaranteed a winning record on the road trip.
But why stop there?
They'll try to go a perfect three-for-three tonight as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena, a team they've already beaten once this season.
"We have to make sure we get some points out of this game tonight and hopefully get a win," said Nino Niederreiter, who is riding a six-game point streak in Jets colours. "It's going to be a big test for us."
That game came way back on November 21 - before Niederreiter was with the Jets - when the Hurricanes rallied from a 3-0 deficit late in the third, but Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey scored 2:10 into overtime to give Winnipeg the victory.
Speaking of Morrissey, the Norris Trophy candidate didn't play in Winnipeg's last game, a 3-2 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, due to a lower-body injury.

The defencemen took the morning skate but remains a game-time decision for the Jets. He stayed on the ice longer than he usually would, testing out his injury, and head coach Rick Bowness says Kyle Capobianco would slot in if Morrissey isn't able to play.
Morrissey did take part in the line rushes, which looked like this:
Connor-Scheifele-Niederreiter
Ehlers-Namestnikov-Wheeler
Barron-Lowry-Appleton
Gustafsson-Stenlund-Maenalanen
Morrissey-Pionk
Dillon-DeMelo
Samberg-Schmidt
PNC Arena was the place Nino Niederreiter called home for just over three seasons (2019-2022), and while he spent last season with the Nashville Predators, he didn't play in Carolina.
"It's very special. I loved being here. I loved the whole organization," said Niederreiter. "It's a great group of guys on the other side, coaching staff and all. It's emotional coming back. But at the same time, I'm very happy and excited to be here."
While Winnipeg picked up two important victories on the weekend, the Hurricanes dropped two games to Vegas and New Jersey, being outscored 7-0 in those games.
To make it worse, they also lost all-star forward Andrei Svechnikov in the loss to Vegas on Saturday, and the team announced Svechnikov is now out indefinitely with a right knee injury.
"They still have lots of weapon and lots of speed up front. It's like us taking (Pierre-Luc Dubois) out, you find the depth and put guys in different roles and away you go," said Bowness. "Anytime you come in here this team is coming at you. They are. They play a very aggressive style. (Head coach Rod Brind'Amour) does a great job with these guys. They're on their toes every shift, every game."
Svechnikov's 55 points in 64 games is tied for the second-most on the Hurricanes, who are battling with the Devils for top spot in the Metropolitan Division.
"They show up every single night and they outwork teams," said Niederreiter. "If they don't find the net, they still work hard and do whatever it takes to be successful. Their competitiveness is one of the best in the league."

The Hurricanes will start Frederik Andersen in goal, while the Jets will go with David Rittich. Rittich made 24 saves on 27 shots in the win over Carolina in November.
Bowness said tonight was a good night to rest Connor Hellebuyck, who played back-to-back nights on the weekend, stopping 77 of 83 shots.
"We want (Hellebuyck) rested, certainly for the weekend and certainly for the Boston Bruins on Thursday night," said Bowness. "He deserves a game off. He certainly can't play 15 games. We've got to get Ritter in there again, so now is a good time to do it."
The Jets are also just one point back of the Colorado Avalanche for third in the Central, and have been flip-flopping spots with the defending Stanley Cup champions for the last week or so.
Earning a win tonight would move the Jets back into third with the Avalanche off tonight, while teams trying to chase down the Jets in the race for a wildcard spot - Calgary and Nashville, both six points back - are also in action on Tuesday night.

Either way, all that matters is putting points on the board and keeping pace.
Winnipeg has been able to do that well on the trip, and they have to be prepared for all the pressure they'll face from the Hurricanes tonight.
"They're on top of you all over the ice, all three zones," said Bowness. "Regardless if they score or if they haven't scored, you're going to get that type of game. Maybe the fact the last couple games they haven't gives them a little bit more. But they play all out anyways, no matter what."
Puck drop is set for 6 pm CT.
-- Mitchell Clinton, WinnipegJets.com
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