Jets at Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks battled back to salvage a point Sunday, but heading into a quirk in the schedule with the first of two consecutive home games against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, the frustration is building. The Canucks won once in their past five games, and sitting next-to-last in the Pacific Division is not where they want to be, considering that is where Vancouver finished last season.
“We are still frustrated,” Vancouver goaltender Ryan Miller said after the Canucks hit the crossbar in extra time before allowing the game-winning tally in a 4-3 defeat to Columbus. “It was right there for us.” Winnipeg, which has won two straight, rode a strong performance from young forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrick Laine in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Florida. Ehlers, 20, netted a pair of goals while Laine, 18, scored once and collected two assists. “Even though they’re both really young and there’s lots in their game that’s still developing, they have a really clear idea of who they are as players,” Jets coach Paul Maurice told reporters afterward.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver)
ABOUT THE JETS (15-16-3): Winnipeg’s penalty kill, which had allowed eight goals in its previous four games, gave up one one Sunday - late in the game with the Jets leading 3-0 at the time. Ehlers had scored only one goal in his previous 18 games despite a handful of great chances and close calls before Sunday, and Laine recorded the 18th goal of his rookie season. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves and benefited from a better all-around defensive effort that surrendered only 28 shots on goal.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (13-16-3): Vancouver rallied with three third-period goals Sunday but failed to sustain much offensive pressure, finishing with only 17 shots on goal while giving up a pair of power-play markers. Forward Daniel Sedin netted his team-leading 10th goal Sunday while center Bo Horvat extended his points streak to three games (one goal, three assists) with an assist. Miller, who stopped 21-of-25 shots, allowed 12 goals in his past three games, and the Canucks will start Jacob Markstrom (6-7-2) in goal Tuesday.
OVERTIME
1. Winnipeg C Bryan Little brings a four-game point streak (one goal, three assists) into Tuesday, and his presence on faceoffs has helped the Jets win 50 percent or more draw attempts in six straight games.
2. Vancouver D Erik Gudbranson is out indefinitely and will need surgery to repair ligament damage in his right wrist.
3. Both teams allowed 99 goals on the season with Vancouver doing so in two fewer games.