Tonight, the NHL roars back into action from coast to coast as the 2025-26 season resumes after a break for the Winter Olympics. Players are back from Italy, ready to dive into the final stretch of the season.
With the trade deadline looming just over a week away, the Winnipeg Jets are a team to keep an eye on. Their last outing saw them fall 5-1 to the Canadiens, but now they're hitting the road, starting with a clash against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Jets are up against a team that's been struggling, with a 2-7-1 record in their last 10 games, sitting at the bottom of the league standings. The Jets, 10 points ahead, are still fighting for a playoff spot. Tonight's matchup at Rogers Arena will be crucial for both the 28th-ranked 22-26-8 Jets and the 32nd-ranked 18-33-6 Canucks, as they look to make a statement in their first game back.
Earlier this season, the Jets took down the Canucks 5-3 in Vancouver. Historically, the Jets have dominated this matchup, boasting an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 encounters. A win tonight would clinch the season series for the Jets, with one more meeting scheduled in Winnipeg on March 7th.
Injury woes continue to plague the Jets, with five key players sidelined. Neal Pionk and Nino Niederreiter, both week-to-week, join Josh Morrissey, Haydn Fleury, and Colin Miller on the injury list. The Canucks are also facing a slew of injuries, with nine players out, some for the rest of the season.
Projected Lineups:
Jets:
- Connor - Scheifele - Vilardi
- Perfetti - Lowry - Iafallo
- Toews - Namestnikov (Niederreiter replacement)
- Koepke - Barron - Nyquist
- Stanley - DeMelo
- Samberg - Salomonsson
- Heinola - Schenn
- Comrie (starting goalie)
- Hellebuyck
Eric Comrie gets the nod in goal, giving Connor Hellebuyck a breather after his Olympic stint. Comrie's record stands at 9-9-1 with a 3.07 GAA and a .892 SV%.
The Jets' lineup remains largely unchanged, with a few replacements for injured players. Keep an eye on the Jets' social media for any last-minute changes.
Canucks:
- Kane - Pettersson - DeBrusk
- O’Connor - Rossi - Boeser
- Ohgren - Blueger - Garland
- Hoglander - Kampf - Karlsson
- E.
Pettersson - Hronek
- Buium - Myers
- M. Pettersson - Willander
- Tolopilo (probable starting goalie)
- Patera
With Thatcher Demko out for the season, Nikita Tolopilo steps in as the likely starter. His record is 3-3-1 with a 3.04 GAA and a .910 SV%.
Players to Watch:
For the Jets, Gabriel Vilardi is the one to keep an eye on. He’s been a consistent force, racking up 50 points in 56 games.
With 21 goals and 29 assists, Vilardi is poised to surpass his career high of 61 points. He’ll look to capitalize on Vancouver's league-worst defense tonight.
On the Canucks' side, Elias Pettersson is the standout, despite a dip in production. With 34 points in 49 games, he leads the team. Pettersson remains a powerplay threat, eager to showcase his skills against the Jets.
Puck drop is set for just after 9:00 pm CST in Vancouver. The Jets are eager to shake off the rust and secure a win against their Canadian rivals. Stay tuned for a thrilling night of hockey action as these teams battle it out at Rogers Arena.