The Winnipeg Jets had been on the road for a week, playing four Eastern Conference teams but will finally return home to take on the New York Rangers.
The Jets finished the road trip going 2-2-0, losing to the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes in regulation, and defeating the Philadelphia Flyers and the New Jersey Devils.
The Rangers enter tonight's contest losers of their last three games, two of which ended in overtime. The Rangers sit two points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild-card spot, but are in a tight race with numerous teams. They've moved several players through trades this season but believe they are still capable of making their way into the playoffs.
Luke Schenn will make his highly anticipated Jets debut tonight, and he's slated to skate alongside Haydn Fleury on the third pair. The two defensemen will come into the lineup to replace Logan Stanley and Colin Miller.
Stanley will be officially a healthy scratch for the first time this season. Fleury has played just two games since Jan. 28, but as it currently looks, will be the trusted left-handed defenseman to be paired with Schenn.
Tonight's fixture could be a vital game for the Jets in terms of playoff seeding. The Dallas Stars remain at their heels, trailing by just six points. If the Jets lose tonight, the Stars would have two games in hand, one of which would be against the Jets on Friday. Failing to secure the two points against a struggling and inconsistent team could affect them later in the season.
Puck drop is at 7:00 PM CST at the Canadian Life Centre.
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