BUFFALO -- Kris Versteeg doesn’t like talking about Winnipeg. Nothing against the city, but he always knows when he gets asked about it, the conversation usually leads to his success against the Jets.

Versteeg doesn’t know why he scores so much against the Jets. He just hope it continues. Versteeg gets a chance to add to his goal totals against Winnipeg on Tuesday night.

“I honestly have no idea why it’s like that, and everyone just keeps bringing it up,” Versteeg said Monday after the Panthers’ light practice at First Niagara Center in Buffalo. The Panthers left for Winnipeg soon afterward.

“It’s one of those things I guess,” Versteeg added. “I would love it if it worked like that against every team. I don’t know if I’m riding anything, but you get bounces and things like that. I hope it keeps up.”

Versteeg lit up the Jets last year, scoring seven goals with three assists in five games. Actually, Versteeg was held off the score sheet in the first meeting between the two. So, Versteeg got 10 points in four games against Winnipeg.

Slowed by a groin injury, Versteeg played in his third game Sunday against the Sabres. He has a goal and an assist this season. Guess who he scored them against?

“Sure, guys have a favorite team they like playing against, and there really is no reason for it,” linemate Tomas Fleischmann said. “Maybe it’s the system they play. But Steeger has great games against Winnipeg. We expect big things from him when we play them.”

Coach Kevin Dineen has seen certain players do well against other teams and said, like Versteeg, that he doesn’t want to talk too much about it. You never want to jinx these kind of things.

“There’s a little something there, but I don’t know what it is,” said Dineen, who has won four of seven meetings against the Jets heading into Tuesday’s game.

“I don’t like talking about it for obvious reasons. I’m glad he’s hot against a divisional foe you see all the time and not a team like Vancouver or something.”

Gudbranson back

The Panthers expect to have defenseman Erik Gudbranson back with the team on Tuesday, although they are unsure whether he will play.

Gudbranson needed shoulder surgery in September after being injured in a wakeboarding accident in Canada. He was suspended during the lockout and was assigned to Florida’s AHL affiliate in San Antonio.

Gudbranson was expected to play in his second AHL game on Monday night in Houston before flying to Winnipeg on Tuesday.

“He’s accomplishing everything we want,” Dineen said. “I haven’t made the final decision on if he plays or not. He’s been out for seven months. We’re finally getting guys back, getting into the groove of playing. He’s still working his way through it.”

Florida practiced with five defensemen Monday as Mike Weaver sat out with a hip injury that doesn’t appear to be serious. Dineen said Weaver didn’t practice just as a precaution and could be back Tuesday.

“It’s a nice luxury to have seven defensemen, but we need them,” Dineen said. “We need the depth.”

Mueller’s streak

Peter Mueller came into Florida’s game against the Flyers on Jan. 26 with no goals; he scored that night and has been on a roll since, scoring a goal in each of the past four games.

Mueller’s previous high had been scoring in three consecutive games.

“He’s got the hot stick going,” Dineen said.