The Winnipeg Jets face another massive test today when they face the Vancouver Canucks in Rogers Arena. We cannot understate the importance of a “W” as the two teams enter tonight’s game tied with 88 points with the Canucks holding a game in hand. February 3rd was the last time these teams met and despite a solid effort by our Jets, Luca Sbisa put the puck past Ondrej Pavelec in overtime to give the game to the Canucks.
A lot has happened to this team since the beginning of February and I would be remiss not to mention the distraction that was present the last time these two teams met. Call it “shower-gate” “tubby-time” or “the Latening” the fact remains this distraction is far behind the Jets and we are a better team today. The Jets look focused and ready to make the next step towards the playoffs and have a huge opportunity to make a statement to the Canucks who they meet one more time prior to the end of the regular season.
Expected Lineup:
Winnipeg Jets
Forward Lines
Andrew Ladd – Adam Lowry – Michael Frolik
Drew Stafford – Mark Scheifele – Blake Wheeler
Jiri Tlusty – Jim Slater – Lee Stempniak
Chris Thorburn – Eric O’Dell – Matt Halischuk
Defensive Pairings
Jay Harrison – Adam Pardy
Starting Goaltender
Vancouver Canucks
Forward Lines:
Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Alex Burrows
Chris Higgins – Nick Bonino – Radim Vrbata
Shawn Matthias – Linden Vey – Derek Dorsett
Ronalds Kenins – Bo Horvat – Jannik Hansen
Defensive Pairings
Alexander Edler – Christopher Tanev
Luca Sbisa – Kevin Bieksa
Starting Goaltender
Player to Watch:
Blake Wheeler has been proving himself a force as of late and took a puck in the face yesterday. All information points to Wheeler having lost some teeth during the process and I can't help but wonder if this was the last step necessary to get us into the playoffs. We just had too many teeth and now his golden smile is a lot closer to Buff's toothy grin.