Tonight, the Winnipeg Jets will look to jump back in to a playoff spot when they face off against the Vancouver Canucks. The Jets control their own playoff destiny, if they win games they’ll likely be in. Meanwhile, the Canucks sit comfortably in second place in the Pacific division.
Puck drop is scheduled for 2pm CST and you can catch all the action on TSN 3 and TSN 1290.
Keys to the Game
Winnipeg Jets
Life Without ‘ Big Buff ‘: Jets’ forward Dustin Byfuglien was suspended 4 games for his vicious cross check on New York Rangers‘ forward JT Miller. The Jets will be without Byfuglien for 4 of their last and most important 5 games. It might not be the end of the world for the Jets though. The team will surely miss Byfuglien’s power play impact and his physical presence, but the Jets always seem to play better when they are not fully healthy. More urgency and intensity is provided and players seem to step up. Maybe the suspension is a blessing in disguise for the Jets.
Every Game is Truly a Must Win. I can’t stress it enough. Every game is a must-win game for the Winnipeg Jets. The Calgary Flames and the Los Angeles Kings are the Jets’ biggest competitors at this point and it seems they are winning virtually every night. The Jets can play with anyone in the league. They are big, skilled, and they work hard. They must deliver their best efforts, night in and night out.
Vancouver Canucks
Eddie Lack gets the start. Winnipeg fans will be familiar with the man that will be between the pipes for the Vancouver Canucks. Manitoba Moose alumni Eddie Lack continues to start for the Canucks while starting goaltender Ryan Miller is sidelined with an injury. Lack has allowed quite a few goals as of late, 3 goals per game over his last 5 games. Lack has a 16-12-4 record accompanied by a 2.49 GAA and a .919 SV%.
By The Numbers.
– 2.82 goals per game ( 10th)
– 2.68 goals allowed per game ( 18th)
– 18.7% on the power play ( 14th)
– 85.1% on the penalty kill ( 4th)
– 29.9 shots per game ( 16th)
– 29.7 shots allowed per game ( 17th)
– 47.0% in the face-off circle ( 28th)
