Tuesday, December 20th + Thursday, December 22nd vs. Winnipeg Jets
Another all-Canadian match-up here with the hard-hitting Winnipeg Jets. At least the two-game set will come on home ice and away from those noisy, ear-drum destroying Jets fans (a really amazing hockey atmosphere, by the way) so that Willie’s calls can actually be heard from the bench and the Sedins won’t have to rely solely on telepathy the whole game.
Also known as “the Patrik Laine show.” Most hockey minds are fairly certain Laine will make an immediate impact on an already youthful Jets club. Therefore, Canucks fans will get a chance to see the player they could’ve had in all his Finnish glory during this double match-up on home ice. Every time Laine puts the puck in the net, it will sting immensely. If he turns out to be the Jets’ version of Alex Ovechkin, the team won’t remain at the bottom of the league’s rankings for long. The Jets will undoubtedly be a team to watch for the next decade.
In a few years we may see a renaissance with all the Canadian hockey clubs. It’s happening already. Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto,
Edmonton
are all improving. Montreal is a contender right now but they need to fix some of their weaker areas. Vancouver will need to keep pace with their fellow Canadian teams but starting this season they’ll really get a taste of what the new hockey landscape in Canada will be.
Last Season’s Record vs. Jets: 0-3-0, 3 GF, 11 GA
Next: April 8th/9th