ANAHEIM, Calif. (Interstat) — Two teams on divergent tracks will meet when the Anaheim Ducks host the Winnipeg Jets at Honda Center on Friday night. The Ducks (30-26-0) enter the contest holding a Western Conference wild-card spot and riding a wave of momentum, having won seven of their last 10 games. They are coming off a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, where goaltender Lukas Dostal made 26 saves and the offense received contributions from throughout the lineup, including goals from veterans Alex Killorn and Ross Johnston. In contrast, the Jets (22-34-0) are mired in a deep slump, having lost eight of their last 10 and coming off a demoralizing 5-1 home loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 4. In that game, winger Kyle Connor’s goal and six shots on net were rare bright spots for an offense that has mustered just 11 goals over its last six contests. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a former Vezina Trophy winner, has faced heavy pressure, seeing 26 shots in the loss to Montreal. The recent head-to-head history also favors Anaheim. When the teams met in November, the Ducks secured a decisive 4-1 win on home ice, controlling play against a struggling Jets squad. For Anaheim, Friday’s game represents a critical opportunity to bank points before a challenging stretch that includes matchups against Colorado and a four-game Eastern Canada road trip. Continued production from secondary scorers like Killorn and Johnston, paired with Dostal’s steady goaltending, will be key. Winnipeg, now 12 games below .500, is searching for any spark to salvage its season. The Jets will need significantly more offensive support for Connor and captain Adam Lowry, who leads with physical play, to ease the burden on Hellebuyck. Their upcoming schedule offers little respite, with a back-to-back in California this weekend before returning home to face a gauntlet of playoff contenders. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST at Honda Center. The teams will meet again in Winnipeg on March 10.