The Winnipeg Jets will try to close out an already successful road trip with another victory, as they visit the sliding New York Rangers for Tuesday's clash at Madison Square Garden.
The Jets entered their five-game swing with a 2-3-1 mark on the road, but have earned wins in three of four tilts to begin the trip. The lone loss came Saturday in Philadelphia, but Winnipeg rebounded the following day with a 4-2 decision in New Jersey.
Evander Kane scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Andrew Ladd added an insurance tally in the third to help the Jets beat New Jersey and improve to 5-4-1 as the road team this season. Last year, Winnipeg went 14-22-5 as the road club and that poor away record contributed greatly to the Jets missing the playoffs.
"It's not easy to win on the road in this league," Ladd said. "It's been nice so far. We got another one to go, and we would sure like to finish it off with a win."
Grant Clitsome and Zach Bogosian also scored for the Jets, who got 24 saves from Ondrej Pavelec in a winning effort.
Kane has recorded a point in seven straight games, giving him the longest current point streak in the NHL. He has four goals and three assists during the run.
The Jets could be without defenseman Dustin Byfuglien on Tuesday after he left Sunday's contest late with a lower-body issue. However, Byfuglien did partake in the team's optional skate on Monday and should be considered questionable for the game against the Rangers.
The Rangers enter Tuesday on a three-game skid and the club was shut out in its most recent trip to the ice, losing Saturday's 3-0 decision in Montreal. Canadiens goaltender Carey Price needed to make only 17 saves to record the shutout at Bell Centre. Rangers goaltender Martin Biron made a rare start in place of Henrik Lundqvist and stopped just 15-of-18 shots.
New York is in the midst of its longest losing streak of the season and has mustered a total of three goals during the three-game slide. Injured sniper Rick Nash has missed all three games during the slump with an undisclosed injury and is expected to sit out a fourth straight contest on Tuesday.
"We have to try to gain some confidence," said Rangers head coach John Tortorella after Saturday's loss. "We have to stabilize ourselves and win a couple, but we can't fall into a panic mode."
Along with Nash, the Rangers were without forward Arron Asham (back spasms) for a second straight game as well as defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who hurt his hip in Thursday's loss at Ottawa. In addition, defenseman Ryan McDonagh exited Saturday's contest in the second period after being slammed into the boards by Montreal's Max Pacioretty, while Dan Girardi left with 1:12 left after taking a shot off his foot.
Girardi, del Zotto and forward Darrol Powe, who sat out the last three games with a concussion, are all expected to play on Tuesday. McDonagh is questionable, while Asham is expected to miss the contest along with Nash.
The Rangers are 6-3-1 as the host this season and are beginning a four-game homestand on Tuesday.
New York has won its last four games against the Jets and Winnipeg has lost its last two tilts at MSG.
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