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The Winnipeg Jets (29-12-3) are back rockin’ their heritage blue jerseys as they take on the Vancouver Canucks (19-13-10) for the first time this season at Canada Life Centre.
The Jets are looking to build on their impressive 3-0 shutout victory against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, Jan 11th. Connor Hellebuyck recorded his 6th league-leading shutout, marking his third consecutive shutout against the Avalanche dating back to April 13th, 2024. Nikolaj Ehlers scored his 13th goal of the season just 68 seconds into the game, earning the game-winning goal. He later added an empty-netter to seal the 3-0 win.
After the game, Ehlers was asked if it was one of his best all-around performances. He agreed: “Oh, this season for sure. I think I felt good out there, our line was going in every single zone. We didn’t create a bunch of chances, but we didn’t give up anything either, against a pretty good line in this league (Drouin-MacKinnon-Rantanen).”
On Saturday, the Canucks also posted a 3-0 shutout, this time over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Ontario. Brock Boeser netted his 15th goal of the season, the game-winning goal, just 31 seconds into the contest—ironically, very similar to the Jets’ quick start against Colorado. Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen stopped all 20 shots that came his way, securing his 4th shutout of the season.
The expected starter for the Jets is Connor Hellebuyck, who has been red-hot. Coming off the spectacular 3-0 shutout against the Avalanche, the 31-year-old is 9-0-1 in his last ten starts. Hellebuyck leads the league with a .928 SV% and 2.02 GAA. He was recently named the NHL’s First Star of the Week.
Vancouver’s netminder, Kevin Lankinen, 29, is expected to start for the Canucks. Coming off his own 3-0 shutout, Lankinen has posted a 16-7-6 record, a .906 SV%, and a 2.51 GAA.
On Saturday, the Jets were without second-line centre Vladislav Namestnikov due to injury, and they will once again be without him for this matchup. Head coach Scott Arniel confirmed after Monday’s practice: “He tried this morning. Didn’t go so well, so he won’t be playing tomorrow.”
Jets Projected Lineup:
Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi
Ehlers – Lowry – Iafallo
Niederreiter – Kupari – Perfetti
Toninato – Gustafsson – Barron
Morrissey – DeMelo
Samberg – Pionk
Stanley – Heinola
Hellebuyck
Canucks Projected Lineup:
DeBrusk – Pettersson – Boeser
Hoglander – Miller – Garland
Heinen – Suter – Sherwood
Di Giuseppe – Blueger – Lekkerimaki
Hughes – Hronek
Soucy – Myers
Forbort – Juulsen
Lankinen
Up Next:
Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m CT and the game is available to watch on TSN.
Make sure to stop by after the game for the post-game article.
