The Winnipeg Jets are 10 points behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck likely will start for the Jets, who have won three in a row after a 3-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Winnipeg recalled forward Brandon Tanev on an emergency basis from Manitoba of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. Tanev, 25, has two goals and two assists in 42 games with the Jets this season and is expected to play. "I've been getting more confidence as the year goes on. That comes through my development," Tanev told the Jets website. "At the beginning of the season, the coaching staff did a great job and I got the opportunity to play big minutes in the American Hockey League." Tanev has nine points (three goals, six assists) in 23 AHL games. With five defensemen injured, the Jets recalled defenseman Nelson Nogier from Manitoba on an emergency basis Monday. Nogier made his NHL debut against the Flyers. The Jets are 5-11-1 against the Pacific Division.
Kings team scope
The Los Angeles Kings trail the Predators by eight points for the second wild card in the Western Conference and are 11 behind the Calgary Flames for third place in the Pacific Division with 10 games remaining. Goalie Ben Bishop is expected to start for Los Angeles, which is 1-3-1 in its past five games and 6-8-3 in its past 17. They are coming off road losses to the Flames, 5-2 on Sunday, and Edmonton Oilers, 2-0 on Monday. Los Angeles has scored seven goals in its past five games. Forward Jarome Iginla has 622 NHL goals and is three behind Joe Sakic for 15th in League history.
Trouba skated during practice, but Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said he would probably not return until Friday against the Anaheim Ducks, according to the Winnipeg Sun. … The Kings recalled forward Jonny Brodzinski from the Ontario of the AHL on Thursday. He isn't expected to make his debut against the Jets and it isn't known whether he will play Saturday against the New York Rangers at Staples Center. Shore participated in the morning skate for the first time since being injured March 2. He has missed the past eight games.
Who's hot
Wheeler has seven points (two goals, five assists) during a four-game point streak, and 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in the past 11 games. Scheifele has six points (one goal, five assists) during his four-game point streak, and 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in the past 15 games. Ehlers has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the past eight games. … Kopitar has six points (two goals, four assists) in the past six games.
