Jets, Panthers both looking to arrest tailspins

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This article was published 15/12/2016 (3196 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It won’t just be a much-needed two points the Winnipeg Jets and Florida Panthers are in search of when they face off tonight at the MTS Centre (7 p.m., TSN3, TSN 1290).

The two NHL clubs, both of which have had their fair share of struggles of late, will also be looking to regain some confidence as they near the Christmas break.

The Jets (13-16-3) are currently on a four-game losing streak, while the Panthers (13-13-4) have dropped five of their last six games, including a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild Tuesday night on the first stop of a three-game road trip. The Panthers are 2-3-3 since firing head coach Gerard Gallant following a 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 28.

Both teams are eager to get back on track, and the head coaches’ familiarity — Paul Maurice and Tom Rowe worked together in Carolina and were behind opposing benches during stints in Russia’s KHL — should make for a spirited affair.

“I don’t think we’re going to surprise him, I don’t think he’s going to surprise us,” Rowe said following the Panthers’ morning skate at the MTS Centre. “We’ve already told our guys this is going to be a battle and we need to be skating and moving the puck and be ready to go right from the opening faceoff.”

Winnipeg’s lineup will be the same as it was the last time they played – a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday – with Connor Hellebuyck getting his second straight start in net.

“They’ve got players that we have to keep an eye on,” Maurice said. “Both teams right now are really looking for confidence in their game. They’ve had parts that they’ve liked a lot.

“I think both sides are really good teams with some inconsistencies… that they need to iron out.”

The Jets play another home date Sunday afternoon against the Colorado Avalanche before heading west to Vancouver for a pair of games Tuesday and Thursday against the Canucks before their holiday break. They’re back in action on Dec. 27 in Chicago.

Jets projected lineup

Forwards

Nikolaj Ehlers – Mark Scheifele – Blake Wheeler

Mathieu Perreault – Bryan Little – Patrik Laine

Brandon Tanev – Adam Lowry – Drew Stafford

Marko Dano – Andrew Copp – Chris Thorburn

Defence

Josh Morrissey – Dustin Byfuglien

Toby Enstrom – Jacob Trouba

Ben Chiarot – Paul Postma

Goalie

Connor Hellebuyck

Michael Hutchinson

Panthers projected lineup

Forwards

Seth Griffith – Aleksander Barkov – Jaromir Jagr

Jonathan Marchessault – Vincent Trocheck – Reilly Smith

Jussi Jokinen – Denis Malgin – Nick Bjugstad

Colton Sceviour – Derek MacKenzie – Shawn Thornton

Defence

Keith Yandle – Jason Demers

Mark Pysyk – Aaron Ekblad

Michael Matheson – Dylan McIlrath

Goalie

Roberto Luongo

James Reimer

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.catwitter: @jeffkhamilton