FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1 Take it to extra time
The Winnipeg Jets may be among the West’s leaders, but they aren’t without their problems. They can’t win in overtime. They’ve gone to an extra frame nine times, but have yet to win in OT. They’ve won twice in the shootout — including Saturday’s 2-1 shootout win over Calgary — but have gotten the ‘L’ in six overtime games and one shootout.
2 Get good goaltending
The Canucks are 0-2 against the Jets this season — one home, one away — losing both games by multiple goals despite outshooting the Jets in both games. Jacob Markstrom got the call in both of those games — a 5-1 and 4-2 loss — and put up save percentages of .792 and .842, respectively. That’s not going to cut it against the Western Conference’s top-scoring team. Anders Nilsson may get the call on the back-to-back game, though.
3 Jets are getting good goaltending
Connor Hellebuyck had a coming of age this season. He’s setting the league on fire, posting a 24-6-6 record this season. His 2.40 GAA and .922 save percentage are firmly among the league leaders. Saturday, he stopped 30 of 31 shots in regulation and both shootout attempts to backstop Winnipeg to the win. Michael Hutchinson may get the call on the back-to-back, though.
4 Wheeler might be distracted
The Jets and Canucks face-off at 5 p.m. PT, a few hours after the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles are set to play. Wheeler is a massive Vikings fan who is still on a high after last week’s Miracle In Minneapolis, after suffering through many painful playoff defeats like in 1997, when they lost the NFC title game in overtime to the Atlanta Falcons, after going 15-1 in the regular season. ”I’ve been through a lot with them,” said Wheeler, a Plymouth, Minn., native. “I watched it with my five-year-old, and all he knows is the Vikings do miraculous things. I grew up, they did miraculous things, but it was always the opposite. It means a lot. I’m a huge fan... you go through your ups and downs with them,” Wheeler said. “I remember 1998 watching that game and crying the rest of the day. That’s just how much the state of Minnesota loves the Vikings. So I’m no different. That was awesome. It was a great moment.”
5 The return of Bo Horvat
Don’t expect miracles from a player who’s been out since the first week of December, but Horvat should bring some much-needed juice to the Canucks offence. The Jets were once defensively porous — ranking 27th in goals against last season — but are now 10th in the NHL. Half of his 10 goals came on the power play, so look for him to make an impact there.