The three-game losing streak ends as strong team performance leads to a 5-3 victory in Vancouver

After an 0-3-0 record and just two goals in the last 180 minutes of hockey, the Jets left California as they continue their season-long six-game western road trip in Vancouver tonight. The now 9-6-0 Jets took on the 8-8-1 Canucks at Rogers Arena, looking to reset and forget about the three games they played in California. The Canucks are off to an average start to the season and so far they have been one of those teams that seems stuck in the middle of the standings as they continue to play with a lengthy injury report. Tonight, the Jets had to fight back from a one-goal deficit in the first, but after gaining the lead, they never looked back and held on for a win, ending their three-game losing streak.

Despite three straight losses, the Jets’ lineup on paper looked the same as the previous game. The first line remained the same and Cole Perfetti, Jonathan Toews and Vladislav Namestnikov formed the second line. The third line featured Nino Niederreiter, Adam Lowry and Alex Iafallo. Parker Ford centered line 4 alongside Nikita Chibrikov and Tanner Pearson. Gustav Nyquist, Morgan Barron and Dylan Samberg all skated in yellow non-contract jerseys on Sunday.

The Jets’ defensive combinations remained the same and Connor Hellebuyck got the start in goal. Hellebuyck came into tonight’s game with a 6-5-0 record, a 2.29 GAA and a .922 SV%. Tonight, Hellebuyck was fantastic and did everything he could to help the Jets win in Vancouver.

1st Period

Tonight’s match started with a good pace and it was the Jets who would open the scoring after five minutes. After a failed clearing attempt by the Canucks, Cole Perfetti found Josh Morrissey at the point. Morrissey’s slap shot was deflected in front by Jonathan Toews, who scored his third of the season to give the Jets an early 1-0 lead.

The Canucks tied the game 5 minutes later. Quinn Hughes entered the Jets zone and a nice drop pass, followed by a give-and-go with Kiefer Sherwood, was fired past Hellebuyck into the net to make it a 1-1 game.

A minute later, Dylan DeMelo took the first penalty of the game, a trip on Elias Pettersson. The Canucks didn’t waste much time on their first power play of the night. Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes founded Jake DeBrusk. Entering the Jets zone, DeBrusk fired a perfect wrist shot past Hellebuyck to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead.

The Jets got their first power play of the night about two minutes later after Elias Pettersson was called for tripping Alex Iafallo. With the Jets’ power play struggles lately, this was a great opportunity to end that struggle and tie the game. It didn’t take much time, and after another failed clearing attempt by the Canucks (this time it was one that really should have been cleared), Morrissey collected the puck, and after moving slightly to his right, knocked the puck into the net to make it a 2-2 game.

Just 15 seconds later, the Jets took a 3-2 lead. Alex Iafallo and Adam Lowry set up Nino Niederreiter from behind the net, and right in front Niederreiter deflected the puck past Thatcher Demko.

Now ahead, the Jets settled down and took a 3-2 lead into the first intermission. Shots on goal were 12-8 for the Canucks, with Hellebuyck standing tall in the net to help the Jets fight back in this game after being down 2-1 Canucks.

2nd Period

The 2nd period had no goals, but it was still an entertaining period of hockey. Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko was injured near the end of the first period, so backup Kevin Lankinen substituted to start the second period. Lukas Reichel made a notable call 1 minute into the 2nd, but the Jets were unable to get a two-goal lead with this opportunity.

Six minutes after the penalty ended, Quinn Hughes took another Canucks hooking penalty, sending the Jets back to the power play. On this penalty, Quinn Hughes hurt his arm or shoulder and left the match, but later returned a few minutes later after his penalty was over. The score remained at 3-2 and Logan Stanley took an interference penalty with about 7 minutes left in the 2nd.

Connor Hellebuyck made some big saves throughout the second period, including on the Canucks’ only power play in the second. With 1 minute left in the 2nd, Drew O’Connor took a high-stick penalty, meaning the Jets would have 1 minute of power play time left to start the 3rd. Shots on goal in the second period were 13-10 for the Jets, highlighting the great play of Lankinen and Hellebuyck in this scoreless second period. Haydn Fleury went into the tunnel with an injury, meaning the Jets would be down a defenseman for now, pending an update.

3rd Period

The Jets power play finally looked more like the 2024-25 version tonight. Josh Morrissey and Kyle Connor set up Gabriel Vilardi in the middle of the slot, and Vilardi turned and fired a rising, vicious backhand shot that went off the top corner past Lankinen to give the Jets a 4-2 lead just 0:48 into the 3rd.

A few minutes later, the Canucks came as close as possible to making it a 4-3 game, but Hellebuyck found a way to cover the puck just before it crossed the line. Both teams continued to push for that next all-important goal, and the number of shots on target was tied at 26 with 8 minutes to go.

The Canucks pulled the goalie with about 2 1/2 minutes left in an attempt to mount a late comeback. Vilardi missed a chance on the empty net, and seconds later the Canucks made it a 4-3 game with 90 seconds left. Brock Boeser gave Canucks fans some hope late, but with 46 seconds left, Alex Iafallo, playing in his 600th career NHL game, had a chance with an empty net and made no mistake. The Jets held on to win 5-3, despite the Canucks outscoring the Jets 33-30. The Jets 3 losing streak is over as it was a well rounded 60 minute team effort tonight.

Next

The six-game Jets road trip now heads back to America as the Jets’ regular season schedule continues on Thursday in Seattle against the Pacific Division Kraken. Puck drop for this match will take place again just after 9:00 PM CT. Stay up to date with all the latest Jets news, plus previews and recaps of every Jets game this season, right here at Jets Nation.

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