The Winnipeg Jets started a two-game mini-series against the Vancouver Canucks last night at Bell MTS Place.
This game was also the second game of a four-game homestand for the Jets, in which they lost the first game of it to the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Monday.
The Canucks were not fairing any better when they arrived in Winnipeg. They have only won one of their previous five games and were sitting in last place in the North Division.
Winnipeg decided to make some interesting lineup changes on defense. The Jets dressed Ville Heinola, Jordie Benn, and Logan Stanley and gave regulars Neal Pionk and Tucker Poolman the night off. Also, Paul Maurice gave Laurent Brossoit the start in goal.
The Vancouver Canucks won the battle of struggling teams and denied the Winnipeg Jets of clinching third place in the division
Although the Jets may have lost last night, they did play well and dominated the game at points en route to outshooting the Canucks 40-31.
But two goals in the first eight minutes from Nils Hoglander and Bo Horvat alongside an outstanding Thatcher Demko were enough to seal the deal for Vancouver.
Hoglander was able to score his second goal of the game in the middle of the third period to put the game out of reach as Vancouver won 3-1 and took all two points from the game.
This was another tough loss for the Jets. They have not won in home ice in their last seven games, while only winning one in their last nine games overall.
The Jets had a chance to clinch the third seed in the North Division with a win, but now they only sit one point ahead of the Montreal Canadiens in third. The Jets do have a game in hand and can clinch third with a win tonight.
The Winnipeg Jets get another crack at the Canucks as they complete their mini-series tonight in Winnipeg. Stay tuned for our sites’ game preview!
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What lineup changes should the Winnipeg Jets make for tonight’s game? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the NHL*