Blues look to maintain perfection in regulation against the Jets
The Winnipeg Jets might have been initially pleased seeing highlights from the St. Louis Blues' most recent shutout because it helped them gain control of the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
The problem is the Jets are next in line to face the visiting Blues on Thursday night, and the Central Division leaders haven't suffered a regulation loss in the series since the opponent in question called Atlanta home.
St. Louis' 4-0 victory at Calgary on Tuesday night combined with Winnipeg's 5-2 home win over San Jose moved the Jets (35-23-12) one point ahead of the Flames for the No. 8 spot and six in front of the Sharks.
That could all be given back against the Blues (45-20-5), who have shutouts in three of their last four games, including the first two stops on a six-game road trip with both goaltenders contributing.
Brian Elliott made 25 saves against the Flames to set the franchise record with his 21st shutout in four seasons in St. Louis. Jake Allen stopped 28 shots in Monday's 3-0 win in Dallas for his first action in two weeks.
"Our goaltending has really been the story for the last 10 days or so," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "These guys have given us a chance to win every night, and it's a really good sign."
It was Elliott's second shutout in three games, giving him a 1.48 goals-against average while going 6-2-0 in his last eight starts. That includes a 5-4 home win over the Jets on March 10, his fourth straight victory in the series.
Alexander Steen scored twice Tuesday and has three goals and five assists in six games. David Backes had a goal and two assists, giving the center 10 points in eight games this month.
The Blues faced just one penalty kill against Calgary and it was successful, running their impressive stretch to 30 of 31 over 10 games. The Jets' power play is three for seven over two games.
FOX Sports Midwest coverage of the Blues-Jets game begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with Blues Live.
Since the move was made to Winnipeg, the Blues have posted an 8-0-1 record, and they're 10-0-2 in the series since losing 4-2 to Atlanta on Oct. 8, 2009. Three wins have come this season, the first two of which came away.
Dating to Jan. 3, the Blues are 12-2-1 on the road with 3.47 goals per game. That's the best away record in hockey in that time as well as the highest road scoring average, and only one team is scoring that much at home in that span: Winnipeg.
With an identical 52 goals, the Jets are 10-3-2 at MTS Centre since Jan. 3.
Winnipeg's victory over the Sharks began a three-game homestand, and Blake Wheeler led the way with two goals and an assist. His five-game point streak includes five goals and four assists, while the forward has 13 points in 12 career games against St. Louis.
Linemates Mark Scheifele (11 points in 10 games) and Drew Stafford (six in five) also had multipoint performances.
"Those guys are buzzing right now," Wheeler told the team's official website. "... It's going well right now and it feels good to click at this time of year."
The Jets remained without center Bryan Little and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien for a fifth straight game due to upper-body injuries. Both have returned to practice, though their returns are uncertain.
Ondrej Pavelec stopped 38 shots against the Sharks and has a 1.38 GAA in four appearances this month. He was in goal for the franchise's last regulation win in the series but is 1-4-1 with a 2.69 GAA against the Blues since.
Michael Hutchinson has allowed seven goals on 26 shots in his last two starts, including four on seven before being replaced just over a week ago against St. Louis.
