Slumping Vancouver Canucks face surging Winnipeg Jets at home - NHL Preview
Winnipeg Jets will look to send Vancouver Canucks to a third straight loss on Thursday, March 8, 2012 when both teams will lock horns at the Rogers Arena.
The Jets have managed to strike a rich vein of form recently and are on a roll with two massive wins. They will look to continue that run against a surprisingly struggling Vancouver who are having trouble with stopping the opposition from scoring.
Winnipeg are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference with 72-points but could move up into third with a further two points.
They trail Southeast division rivals Florida Panthers by just two points.
Vancouver on the other hand have struggled at home. They lost their last two games by surprisingly big margins and have given up a total 10 goals in both games.
The Canucks though are not an easy opponent and the Jets will do well to not underestimate their opponents.
Vancouver’s losing streak though has lost them their pole position in the Western Conference as they drop down to second with 90 points.
Jets (32-27-8, 72 pts)
Winnipeg’s recent form is outstanding.
The Jets have won their last two games by big margins starting with a 7-0 demolition of rivals Florida Panthers and they followed it up by an impressive 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
Winnipeg dominated proceedings against the Sabres outshooting them, 31-24 and were in complete control to win the game 3-1.
Right winger Blake Wheeler said after the game.
“We've battled all year to get to this position and hopefully we can apply the lessons we've learned in the last month or two."
Canucks (41-18-8, 90 pts)
Vancouver’s recent slump could not have come at a worse time and they will be looking to put things right against the Jets.
The Canucks are on a two-game skid at home with losses against Buffalo Sabres and the surging Dallas Stars.
Vancouver gave up a total of 10 goals in both games while scoring just five and will look to put things right with the visit of Winnipeg.
Coach Alain Vigneault though retains faith in his players and says that they will find a way to get out of their slump.
"Those guys have been the foundation of this team since I have been here and I have a lot of trust and faith in them. You have to trust that they are going to figure it out."
Predictions
Tough to choose but the home crowd may give Vancouver the edge.
The sum of goals will be less than six.
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