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Goalie nods: Hutchinson pushing for Jets’ starting gig

Michael Hutchinson

Winnipeg Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson (34) defends the goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

AP

News and notes from around the crease...

Winnipeg goes back to Hutch

Goalie controversy in Winnipeg?

Maybe. Just maybe.

Michael Hutchinson, who’s rotated starts with Ondrej Pavelec recently, will get the call tonight when the Jets take on the Stars in Dallas.

The decision comes after Pavelec allowed four goals on 25 shots in Sunday’s 4-3 OT loss to Anaheim. Hutchinson, meanwhile, has been excellent of late, stopping 124 of his last 132 shots faced -- good for a .939 save percentage -- and hasn’t lost in regulation in five straight games, with the Jets securing eight of a possible 10 points over that stretch.

Pavelec was great to start the season but has cooled off in recent weeks, and it wouldn’t be a shock if head coach Paul Maurice kept using Hutchinson extensively for the rest of this month. The Jets have some pretty big games on the horizon -- from Dec. 13-31 they’ll face the likes of Anaheim, Boston, Chicago, Minnesota (x2) and the red-hot New York Islanders.

For the Stars, Kari Lehtonen is your likely starter.

Elsewhere...

‘Hawks at Devils: Scott Darling for Chicago, no word on a New Jersey starter.

Flyers at Jackets: Steve Mason vs. Sergei Bobrovsky

Caps at Bolts: Braden Holtby vs. Ben Bishop

Canucks at Habs: Ryan Miller vs. Carey Price

Flames at Leafs: Jonas Hiller vs. Jonathan Bernier

Kings at Sabres: Jhonas Enroth for Buffalo, Jonathan Quick likely for L.A.

Isles at Wild: Jaroslav Halak vs. Niklas Backstrom

Preds at Avs: Pekka Rinne vs. Calvin Pickard

Oilers at Sharks: Antti Niemi for San Jose, no word yet on an Edmonton starter.