Call it an early holiday season gift to Winnipeg Jets fans from the NHL schedule-maker.
In fact, all Canadian hockey lovers will get to rip open the wrapping tonight as the Jets and the Tampa Bay Lightning match will be televised nationally. (Sportsnet, 6 p.m.)
The Lightning, occupiers of the league penthouse with a gaudy 25-7-1 record, are running hot right with eight consecutive victories. Their last was an impressive 4-1 triumph over the Atlantic Division rival Toronto Maple Leafs, highlighted by a 48-save performance by goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Tampa Bay is seven points ahead of Toronto atop the Eastern Conference.