Jets at Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have an opportunity to sweep a two-game set on home ice from the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, but despite Tuesday’s 4-1 victory, coach Willie Desjardins is looking for a better start from his team. The Canucks trailed 1-0 after a lackluster opening period before taking control of the game in the final two periods, riding two goals from Jannik Hansen.
“We came out with a better effort in the second, competed harder and got rewarded by scoring, and then I think we got a little bit of life,” Desjardins told reporters after Vancouver improved to 2-0-1 on its homestand. While the Canucks struggled at the beginning, it was the Jets who chased the game in the final 40 minutes, a disappointing showing following one of their most complete efforts of the year in Sunday’s victory over Colorado. “I don’t know if we tried to slow the game down or thought somehow we’d be able to move it through the neutral zone a little easier,” Jets coach Paul Maurice told reporters afterward. “We struggled with that, for sure.” Blake Wheeler scored for Winnipeg, but the lead evaporated thanks to two Canucks goals in a 3:22 span of the third period.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), Sportsnet Vancouver
ABOUT THE JETS (15-17-3): Wheeler scored for the second consecutive game and extended his points streak to three, but Winnipeg’s offense - save a Patrik Laine shot that dinged the post in the third - was maddeningly inconsistent after the first period. Connor Hellebuyck allowed three goals for the third time in his past four starts. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien recorded an assist Tuesday and has points in eight in his past 11 games.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (14-16-3): Hansen is finding his stride after missing 16 games with fractured ribs, scoring for the second consecutive game after three pointless contests upon returning to the lineup. Twin brothers Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin combined for three assists. Jacob Markstrom recorded 31 saves in earning his first victory since Nov. 26 against Colorado.
OVERTIME
1. Vancouver D Christopher Tanev finished with an assist and plus-2 rating Tuesday. His brother, Winnipeg F Brandon Tanev, recorded one shot on goal and finished minus-1.
2. The Canucks made the most of their opportunities, finishing with 24 shots on goal (17 in the final two periods).
3. Winnipeg killed off all three Vancouver power plays Tuesday after allowing nine power-play goals in its previous five contests.