Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks meet for first time this season

The Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks both look to build off wins when face off in Winnipeg. Devon McKendrick previews the game.

Tuesday marks game six of the eight-game homestand for the Winnipeg Jets as the Vancouver Canucks roll into town.

It has been an up-and-down stretch so far for Winnipeg, as they have won two and lost three—two in overtime.

However, they are coming off a 3-0 win against their divisional rivals, the Colorado Avalanche, on Saturday.

“I thought we played well. We played a great game, and obviously, happy to get the win,” said Dominic Toninato, who played his first game of the season with the Jets on Saturday.

Winnipeg’s opponent Tuesday has had a similar start to 2025 as the Jets. The Canucks have a pair of wins under their belt but have lost four games—two of them in overtime.

They too are coming off a 3-0 win on Saturday, this one in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.

Even though it has been a slower start to the new year, the Jets understand Vancouver has a lot of skilled players, and they will capitalize when they have a chance.

“Obviously, we haven’t seen them yet this year, but going back to last season, they’re a really competitive team. They’ve got, obviously, some very talented players, and I think their structure has been really good over the last number of years. Again, going back to last year, their competitiveness and defensive game is tough to play against,” said Josh Morrissey.

Following their scorching hot start to the season, the Jets have been the top team in the league for the majority of the season, even despite some hiccups since then.

They are currently tied for first with the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights.

It’s a position they want to stay in as the end of the season draws nearer every day, but they know it won’t be easy.

“It’s a league where you could be playing a 32nd-ranked team in the league, standing wise, and there’s no free points. There’s no free game. So, I think to your point, it’s obviously great when you feel like certain things in your game are clicking, but in my experience, the old analogy, it’s hard to kind of get to the top, and it’s harder to stay there.”

What makes it so hard, is the fact that each team in the league is bringing their best game every night, Head Coach Scott Arniel said.

“They know that if they don’t come out strong and play to their strengths, that we can do special things against them,” said Arniel. “That’s probably been the biggest thing for me for the last three, four weeks: the teams we’re running against, they’re making sure they’re not giving us free ice; they’re not giving us free opportunities. They’re making us grind for everything.”

Connor Hellebuyck will once again be in net for the Jets. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.