Jets 6, Canucks 2
Despite their miraculous comeback victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, that saw them score four goals in the final 2:39 of regulation and win in overtime, it seemed the Winnipeg Jets might still be a bit vulnerable while hosting the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.
Previous to their victory over the Habs, the Jets went winless in nine straight games and were still reeling from the loss of their three-time Vezina Trophy winning goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who forced a trade to the New Jersey Devils two weeks ago.
The Canucks didn’t take advantage. Not even close. In fact, the opportunistic home team Jets took advantage of turnovers and puck battles and potted goals when they needed ’em.
We should have known. That makes 31 head-to-head victories for Winnipeg against Vancouver in the last 40 match-ups. They’ve won five in a row overall and seven in a row against the Canucks in Manitoba.
While the Jets are trying to stabilize after heavy early season turbulence, now 6-8-and-3 on the season, the BC boys are sprinting towards capturing the best odds in next spring’s NHL Draft Lottery. They’re now sporting a 3-14-and-1 mark.
Ahead of that, it’s easy to remember it’s a rebuild, albeit probably uglier than expected, and it’s all about player development. Right?
22-year-old Vancouver winger Liam Ohgren, acquired from the Wild in the Quinn Hughes deal, tallied his sixth goal of the season while averaging close to 15-minutes in ice time in 17 games. Centre Marco Rossi, also added in that deal, picked up an assist on the 1st period goal, as did 22-year-old right wing Jonathan Lekkerimaki, the Canucks 15th-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
The lanky Swede is presently third on the club in scoring with 14 points in 18 games played.
24-year-old Finnish netminder Leevi Meriläinen took the loss in net. It’ll be a tall task to build confidence between the pipes this season in Vancouver. For now it’s up to him and his fellow Finn Kevin Lankinen to share the burden.
Earlier Canucks:
— Canucks On Their Own Sad Little Planet
