GAMEDAY: Predators at Jets

WINNIPEG - Mark Scheifele is off to a great start to the season and tonight he will have a chance to move past Blake Wheeler and become the franchise leader in points.

Scheifele scored twice on Thursday night giving him 812 points to pull even with his former linemate in the Jets 5-2 win in Philadelphia.

Winnipeg (3-1) will put their three-game win streak on the line when they host the Nashville Predators (6 CT, Sportsnet, 680 CJOB/Power 97) at Canada Life Centre.

“It’s obviously very humbling,” said Scheifele when asked about the milestone on Thursday.

“Not long ago I was just starting in the league. It’s obviously very humbling and I just want to keep getting better.”

Scheifele has represented the Jets well since he was their first draft pick in 2011 and has grown in many ways. From his performance during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs especially in the second round against the Predators to becoming a dominant force night after night.

“The biggest thing for me in my four years is that he has bought in to how we need to play to have success,” said Scott Arniel.

“And then all of his offence has come because he, not just him but his linemates as well have bought into that way so the puck is on their sticks a lot more and they get chances to be creative.”

Make sure to tune into the Jets pregame show "The Check In" at 12:30 CT with Sara Orlesky and Jamie Thomas.

Scheifele’s eight points and five goals are both the most he has ever recorded in the first four games of a season. While he is currently on a three-game goal streak, the team has also won their last three games. Dating back to the start of last season, the Jets are 27-4-3 when Scheifele finds the back of the net.

“I think we all know what he means to this franchise. And being one of the first picks coming back here, and leading us through the whole playoffs, every kind of run we had,” said Kyle Connor on Thursday night.

“You know, he's been the guy, and he's a leader in this team, and obviously he's a big part of this team going forward.”

The Jets lost their only game against a Central Division rival this season, a 5-4 setback on opening night where they gave up a lot of chances that we didn’t see them give up last season. Winnipeg played their best defensive game of the season on Thursday in Philly and are hoping to build off that.

“Yeah, thought we tracked back really well to start the game, and then that was a big emphasis to defend first, and the offense will come,” said Parker Ford.

“And that's exactly what happened for us. And you know, just the little things I thought we did well that game.”

Jonathan Toews has been a consistent threat to Nashville through his entire career. He ranks third among active players in both games played (66) and points (46) against the Predators. Toews has also recorded 18 points in 16 career playoff games against Nashville.

Connor Hellebuyck will start in goal tonight – he has a .927 save percentage, 2.42 goals against average and four shutouts in his career against the Predators.