Game #13 Preview and GDT: Winnipeg Jets at New York Rangers

The visiting Winnipeg Jets will hope to keep momentum going tonight, as they clash against a streaking New York Rangers side playing their third game in four nights.

Winnipeg is set to ice the same lineup as it did for Friday's dramatic 5-3 victory over Detroit. The Jets' four third period tallies vaulted the club to 19 Goals For in the final 20 minutes, second only to the Montreal Canadiens (and one goal ahead of, you guessed it, the New York Rangers). While the ability to pull a comeback kid moment is fine and dandy, the team's lack of goal scoring in the first two periods is a little concerning.

With injuries piling up, Brandon Tanev has been enjoying an increased role of late, culminating in a couple goals against the Red Wings. He likely won't make us forget about Joel Armia (though we'll see after six to eight weeks), but just as it was in preseason, Tanev's skill set is once more on display:

The 24-year-old's first career NHL goals weren't the only feel good story coming out of the Joe. Nikolaj Ehlers had himself one heck of a night, with a goal and four points in 17:48 TOI. Mark Scheifele is now back to a point-per-game, Patrik Laine has found twine seven times in 12 tilts and Marko Dano has quietly posted a goal and assist in his two games this season.

Furthermore, while there are certainly score effects and peculiarities to account for, the team has been playing better these last few games compared to earlier efforts. Should Winnipeg continue humming along, it'll be interesting to see what head coach Paul Maurice does once players start returning from injury.

Myers and Stuart skated but are both out tonight. Perreault out tonight as well but Maurice says all could be back Dallas Tuesday. #NHLJets

— Ted Wyman (@Ted_Wyman) November 6, 2016

The one position which hasn't been touched by injury (yet) is in net. After being rather dedicated to platooning Michael Hutchinson and Connor Hellebuyck, the latter gets his second straight start for the first time this season. Friday wasn't a perfect night for Hellebuyck, but one can feel the beginnings of separation between the two Jets netminders, if only the 23-year-old will take it and run.

On the other side, the New York Rangers have been enjoying a fine start to the season. Their 9-3-0 record is atop the Metropolitan division, and the team has downed Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Edmonton and Boston on their current four game win streak. Somewhat surprising has been New York's improved underlying numbers. The Rangers had rather underwhelming overall possession stats last season, but have been middle of the road to begin 2016-17.

Management's offseason moves at forward have been paying dividends thus far, with Mika Zibanejad, Jimmy Vesey and Michael Grabner all proving their worth on the score sheet. New York's defence beyond Ryan McDonagh still isn't great, but improvement is improvement, even if it isn't across the board. Of course, having a goaltending tandem of Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta helps as well. The former is slated to start tonight, and brings a .920 career Sv% vs. Winnipeg to the table.

#GoJetsGo