10:06 pm
December 22

Jets @ Canucks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Winnipeg Jets (23-10-2)

@ Vancouver Canucks (17-17-4)

 

Starting Goalies:

Laurent Brossoit (WPG):  Confirmed

Jacob Markstrom (VAN): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Winnipeg Jets: (-145)

Vancouver Canucks: (+125)

 

• Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele are two of the Winnipeg Jets top offensive forces that attract plenty of attention, but it is forward Nikolaj Ehlers who is surging entering Saturday’s road trip finale at the Vancouver Canucks. Ehlers recorded his second hat trick in the past 12 games in Thursday’s 6-3 triumph at San Jose, giving him 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in his past 13 contests as the Jets won for the 10th time in their past 12 games.

• The Canucks have turned things around after a dreadful stretch, going 6-1-1 in their last eight games after Thursday’s 5-1 home victory over St. Louis. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom ran his winning streak to six games by making 29 saves for Vancouver, which went 1-10-2 before the recent surge.

• Forward Blake Wheeler, who tied for the NHL lead in assists last season with 68, recorded three assists Thursday and is tied for the league lead with 42. Laine began the weekend tied for third in the NHL in goals (23) and Scheifele ranks fifth in points (48) for the fourth-highest scoring offense in the league (3.6 goals per game). Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves against San Jose, and likely will get Saturday off in favor of Laurent Brossoit.

•  Center Bo Horvat finished with a goal and an assist Thursday, giving him six points (three goals, three assists) in his past five games. Rookie center Elias Pettersson continues to lead Vancouver in goals (17), assists (19) and points (36), and an assist Thursday gives him points in eight of the past nine games (10 assists, 14 points). The Canucks have improved on defense recently, allowing more than two goals only twice in the past seven games.

• Markstrom has a .942 save percentage during his winning streak.

• Jets F Nic Petan played Thursday for the first time in 11 games as F Adam Lowry missed the game with an upper-body injury.

• Winnipeg is 2-0-0 against Vancouver this season, scoring 10 goals in the two matchups.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Winnipeg Jets
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