The Jets’ top line of Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi has combined for 67 goals, 143 points, 24 power-play goals and 14 game-winners.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Winnipeg Jets
When/where: Tuesday, 5 p.m., Canada Life Centre
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The buzz: The toughest questions on a test often come on the last page.
They are tied for the league lead in points and have the top power play, are second in defence, and third in offence.
The Jets have lost just four games in regulation on home ice — second only to the Los Angeles Kings who have dropped just two — because reigning Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck has a leg up on doubling up on the goaltending honour. And their first line is first rate.
Hellebuyck leads all stoppers in wins (26), goals-against average (2.02), saves percentage (.928) and shutouts (6). Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi have combined for 67 goals, 143 points, 24 power-play goals and 14 game-winners.
It’s a throwback to how Alain Vigneault ran his bench when the Canucks were cream of the NHL crop in 2010-11 with 117 points. He rode Roberto Luongo like a thoroughbred and the starter combined with Corey Schneider to capture the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed.
Vigneault also ensured Henrik and Daniel Sedin had ample ice time to pile up points and plaudits. Daniel captured the Art Ross Trophy for winning the scoring title with 104 points and the Ted Lindsay Award as MVP as voted by the players.
Henrik led the NHL in assists with 75, and Ryan Kesler won the Selke Trophy on the strength of a 41-goal campaign.
The difference between those Canucks and these Jets is the postseason. The Canucks lost Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup final, and the Jets have lost in the first round the last two seasons. Their last measure of success was getting to the conference final in 2018.
Meanwhile, the Canucks know their game needs more consistency, so chasing a playoff berth becomes a methodical process rather than a hectic scramble. They’ve teased with good road runs, but a 1-1-2 mark on this defining trip is proving quite the grind.
The hope: The Canucks continue to ice an improved penalty kill. It has killed 12 of 14 power-play chances in the last five games and 31 of 36 over the last 13, including nine perfect outings.
The fear: Ending this road trip on a high note requires faster and smarter zone exits to escape the Jets’ ferocious forecheck. Can’t give up the first goal and can’t be chasing the game. Jets are 16-0-2 when leading after the first period and 20-0-1 when leading after 40 minutes.
The projected lineup:
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Boeser
Hoglander-Miller-Garland
Heinen-Suter-Sherwood
Di Giuseppe-Blueger-Lekkerimaki
Hughes-Myers
Forbort-Soucy
Brisebois-Juulsen
The prediction: The Canucks will be taxed to get to Hellebuyck and keep a high-octane from striking early to dictate tempo. Vancouver great on penalty kill, but Jets own the day with 3-2 win.