Islanders Blanked 5-0 By Wild The New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-leading-the-nhl-in-important-shot-blocking-category-but-has-it-paid-dividends] not only face a Winnipeg Jets team Tuesday night that's sitting atop the central decision and are 8-1-1 over their last 10 games. They also welcome back their elite goal scorer, Kyle Connor [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/injury-report/winnipeg-jets-forward-kyle-connor-returns-from-injury-early-to-play-tuesday], who has missed the last 16 games after suffering a knee injury in their 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 10. Despite the absence, Connor still leads the Jets in goals with 17 on the season in just 26 games played. In order for Winnipeg to activate Connor out of injured reserve, the Jets have placed Mark Scheifele on IR with a lower-body injury retroactive to Jan. 12. Despite the absence, Connor still leads the Jets in goals with 17 on the season in just 26 games played. Initial reports indicated that the 27-year-old would miss six to eight weeks, but a speedy recovery has them back before the six-week mark. Connor was drafted 17th overall in 2015, one selection after the Islanders selected their 2024 All-Star Mathew Barzal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/mathew-barzal-new-york-islanders-all-star-game] at No. 16. The two have very similar career numbers, with Connor registering 452 points in 492 games. Barzal has 407 points in 462 games. Connor has six points in 10 games over his career against the Islanders, with two goals and four assists. He is also a minus-11 while on the ice against New York. The Islanders and Jets will drop the puck at 8:00 pm ET.
