FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: One of the things I’ve noticed this year is how many opposing coaches speak glowingly of the Jets. You can add Vancouver bench boss Rick Tocchet to that ever-growing list.
“They’re good in every facet of the game,” he said this morning. Given the turbulent season his club is having, complete with no shortage of off-ice drama which at times resembles a soap opera, I suspect Tocchet pines for the type of stability and consistency he sees in the Jets.
In that sense, Winnipeg has become a true measuring stick which is why you’ll often see the other team come out with what appears to be their best shot. We saw that on Sunday, at least early in the game, but it certainly speaks to the poise and the confidence of the Jets that a 2-0 deficit turned out to be no big deal.
I’d expect a similar first-period push from Vancouver, which is quickly running out of time to get back on track. Star defenceman Quinn Hughes said as much today when asked if this could be a playoff preview.
“It’s obviously a test. I don’t know if anyone’s thinking about the first round. At least we’re not. We’re focusing on tonight. We need the two points, but it definitely is a test against one of the best teams in the league,” he said.
As for the Jets themselves, forward Nino Niederreiter has now gone 13 games without a goal while Gabe Vilardi has just one in his last 11 games. Both wingers play a similar hard-nosed style that often takes them to the front of the net but haven’t really been rewarded. Vilardi had two glorious chances against the Kraken which he normally buries, so maybe his fortunes are about to turn.
Vladislav Namestnikov‘s play has elevated since the NHL trade deadline passed, earning his first multi-point game since Feb. 1. last Sunday against Seattle. (John Amis / The Associated Press files)
KEN SAYS: On Sunday, Jets centre Vladislav Namestnikov came through with his first multi-point game since Feb. 1, assisting on the Cole Perfetti goal that cued the comeback and then finding the trailer (Dylan Samberg) and setting a subtle pick on Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz before Perfetti found Samberg for the OT winner.
Namestnikov went through a lengthy dry spell (eight games without a point, 12 games without a goal) recently, but he’s elevated his play since the NHL trade deadline passed and that’s exactly what the Jets needed him to do. This is the type of confidence Namestnikov will require once the postseason begins.
This is a fantastic matchup featuring two of the top candidates for the Norris Trophy, not to mention silky smooth-skating D-men who can hold the line in the offensive zone and occasionally leave defenders twisting and turning.
Jets blue-liner Josh Morrissey has anchored the Jets’ defence corps with 10 goals and 52 points in 67 games this season. On Sunday, Morrissey played just under 29 minutes and recorded two shots on goal (with seven shot attempts), two hits and a blocked shots.
Canucks captain Hughes has battled through injuries yet still managed to deliver 16 goals and 63 points in 52 games. When in the lineup, he’s proven to be a legitimate Hart Trophy candidate alongside the likes of Hellebuyck, Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon.
Canucks centre Elias Pettersson has struggled mightily this season, but he’s picked a good time to ramp up his production. He’s riding a four-game point streak (two goals, six points) going into this contest, but has only 15 goals and 42 points in 61 games. He’s trying to salvage what has mostly been a difficult campaign.
It’s been a tough go of late for Canucks winger Brock Boeser. With no extension signed, there was a ton of trade chatter surrounding the former University of North Dakota forward but he didn’t end up being dealt.
Boeser has 18 goals and 38 points in 60 games this season, but he’s gone 12 games without finding the back of the net and has been limited to two goals during his past 20 outings. He’ll need to get going if the Canucks want to remain in control of the second wild card in the Western Conference.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Ehlers-Namestnikov-Perfetti
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
- Tanev-Barron-Iafallo
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Schenn
- Fleury-Miller
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Stanley, D Heinola, C Gustafsson, C Kupari
INJURED: D Pionk (lower-body)
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
FORWARDS:
- Hoglander-Pettersson-Boeser
- DeBrusk-Suter-Sherwood
- O’Connor-Blueger-Karlsson
- Joshua-Aman-Lekkerimaki
DEFENCE:
- Hughes-Hronek
- M Pettersson-Myers
- Forbort-E Pettersson
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Mancini
INJURED: G Demko (lower body), D Juulsen (lower body), C Chytil (concussion), F Garland (undisclosed)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers on Kyle Connor playing his 600th game tonight and not wanting a repeat of last game against Winnipeg where he scored three goals in the first period:
“KC’s extremely quick, he knows how to find the open ice and you really have to make sure you know when you’re on the ice with him because in a split-second he can be behind you. You almost have to play a little bit differently when you’re out there. He’s a great player, very elusive.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike is in Vancouver and has two pieces coming today.
The first is a feature on how NHL players are increasingly on edge, at least when it comes to their skating habits. He spoke with one of the best in the business, Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey, along with former Canadian Olympic figure skater Barb Underhill and other players and coaches. You can read it in Wednesday’s print edition and online at winnipegfreepress.com, where Mike will also have his game analysis of Jets vs. Canucks.
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