After the All-Star break, and after their league-mandatory five-game time off, the Winnipeg Jets were back at it, defending their first-place slot in the Central division against the NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning.
Without the services of defenceman Jacob Trouba, who suffered an ankle injury January 25 against the San Jose Sharks and will be out 6-8 weeks, the Jets defeated the Lightning this evening 3-1. Micheal Hutchinson made his 2017-2018 season debut since being called up from the Manitoba Moose. Adam Lowry returned from his injury and was an immediate factor, playing smart and tough defensively.
Patrick Laine notched his 22nd of the season, and Kyle Connor scored his 16th. With just under six minutes remaining in the third, Bryan Little came up big with his 11th of the season to give the Jets a two-goal comfort zone and Hutch did the rest.
With the win of the St. Louis Blues and the loss of Nashville last night, the Jets remain on top of the Central division, with their 30th win of the season, leading both teams by three points with a record of 30-13-8, good enough for 68 points thus far.
