5 things to watch for as Jets look to rally against Rangers

The Winnipeg Jets were still reeling Monday from a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks the night before, a game where they dropped a third-period lead; the final dagger coming with just 30.8 seconds left in the game with a goal from Winnipeg native and Blackhawks' captain Jonathan Toews. 

The first step to recovery will be channeling those feelings when the Jets (39-25-12) continue their pursuit for the postseason in a game against the New York Rangers (47-21-7) Tuesday night - a team that has already clinched a spot in the playoffs.  

With that, here are five things to consider heading in to tonight's game.  

Pick yourself up and dust yourself off

It was hard not to feel for Jets fans as they watched their team go toe-to-toe with a Blackhawks club Sunday, outplaying them for the better part of the game only to have it slip away in the final moments. 

It was an ending that also haunted a number of Jets players, many of whom admitted were unable to sleep that night, angry at missing out on a much-need two points in the standings.

But today is a new day, and with it comes the opportunity for Winnipeg to bounce back and use some of that frustration as motivation against a talented Rangers team. 

"The biggest thing is picking yourself up off the floor and getting excited again," said Jets' captain Andrew Ladd. "I think everyone was pissed off [that] night, pissed off the [next] morning and then you talk about it and that's it, it's over with."

The Jets have dealt with adversity all season, including similar games to the one on Sunday. But given just how intense the Western Conference playoff race is, it will be interesting to see what kind of impact the result from the other night will have in tonight's game.  

Pressure time

With just six games left on the schedule the Jets understand how crucial every point will be down the final stretch. The playoff race in the west has become so tight that even dropping two consecutive games can potentially spell the end of their postseason aspirations.  

As dramatic as that may sound, that's exactly the mindset that's being put forth in the Jets' dressing room, a group that now sees every game as a must win.

"It's almost what you want going in to playoffs," said Jets defenceman Tyler Myers. 

"We realize it's not a given to have one of those spots here but we've been happy with our compete level and to bring that level each and every night, it's what we have to focus on." 

With the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames both earning wins Monday night, and the Los Angeles Kings dropping their game, the Jets remain in the final wild card spot, meaning they still control their destiny. 

That grip will only get tighter with a win.

Big boost with return of Little

The Jets got a big boost with Mathieu Perreault returning to the lineup against the Hawks and Dustin Byfuglien a game earlier. They'll get another integral piece back with forward Bryan Little set to return from a lower body injury that has kept him out for 11 games. 

"The good thing is I'm going to have lots of energy tonight," said Little after Tuesday's pre-game skate. "I'm might be a little rusty with the puck [but] I'm going to go out there, play hard and keep it as simple as I can."

Unlike Perreault, who was eased back in to things with limited minutes on the fourth line, Little will return to his spot on the No.1 unit, playing in the middle of Andrew Ladd and Michael Frolik. 

Little is a vital piece to the Jets as he's a player who can battle defensively against the other team's top line as well as chip in offensively. In 65 games this season, he has 24 goals and 51 points.

Hail King Henry 

That added offence from Little will be needed for the Jets tonight, especially against a Rangers' team with one of the best goalies in the entire NHL. Henrik Lundqvist returns to action for just his second game since returning from a scary neck injury that sidelined him for close to two months. 

Lundqvist, now in his tenth season with the Rangers, looked rusty in his return. He allowed four goals on 30 shots in a 4-2 loss to Boston on Saturday. But that doesn't have his teammates worried. They're just glad to have their star back. 

"He's our best player, he's our leader," said Rangers' forward Rick Nash, who sits tied for second in the NHL with 40 goals. "It's such a big deal to have him back in the room and behind us in net."

In 25 games against the Jets/Thrashers franchise, Lundqvist is 11-7-6 with a 2.18 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. 

In Pavelec they trust

In the other net will be Ondrej Pavelec starting in his third straight game and eighth in the last nine. Pavelec has been sharp for the Jets since taking over the starting job from Michael Hutchinson. 

In those last eight starts, he's registered seven wins and has allowed more than two goals just once. The Jets will need him to be sharp again against a Rangers team filled with power up front. 

Pavelec boasts a 5-4-1 record in 11 games with a 2.43 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.