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Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/jets-upend-canucks-1-0-470437733.html

Jets upend Canucks 1-0

By: Jason Bell

There wasn't much high drama to this one, no major panic attacks, no frenetic finish — just a rather unspectacular but no less stable and satisfying NHL triumph.

But wins come in all shapes and sizes and the won't be finicky.

Enjoying the comforts of home for the first time in two weeks, the Jets capped off a perfect weekend with a 1-0 victory over the Canucks on Sunday night.

Right- Patrik Laine’s 21st of the year, coming midway through the first period, was the difference as Winnipeg (28-13-7) earned its sixth straight victory at Bell MTS Place.

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck got cut near his right eye after taking a stick to the mask when winger Thomas Vanek and Jets blue-liner Josh Morrissey got tangled up in front with less than four minutes left in the third period. He finished the game to blank the Canucks on 29 saves for his fourth shutout of the season.

The Jets vaulted over idle Nashville and into top spot in the Central Division, although the Predators – winners of five straight – have three games in hand.

The hosts held a firm grip on their one-goal lead for 48 minutes, yet another sign of the squad's major improvements on the defensive side of the game.

"As a team it doesn't matter if we're chasing or leading, we want to play the same game. We want to play tight defence and give them nothing and try to be patient. We can't open up our game," said Laine, who took a pass from and beat goalie Anders Nilsson from close range at 11:45 of the first period.

"It’s going to be like this for the next couple of months but everybody here in this locker room is comfortable with that kind of game and that’s the reason why we’re winning. We’re a tight defensive team and we’ve got to score on the few chances that we get."

Both teams played their second contests of the weekend and the lethargy showed, although the Canucks easily had the lower reading on the spirit meter but showed some spunk in the final frame.

Winnipeg was coming off a 2-1 shootout win over Calgary Saturday afternoon, while Vancouver suffered a 5-2 defeat to Saturday night.

For the most part, Hellebuyck's night wasn't overly hectic but the stops he did make were memorable.

The Canucks' finest scoring chance came 15 minutes left in the third period. Markus Granlund scooted in on a breakaway but was met early by Hellebuyck who slid on his belly to make the stop, and then missed the open target on the rebound.

"I kind of hesitated for a second, which put me in a little tougher spot. But I realize the puck was still sliding pretty good and I might as well try out some defence for once," described Hellebuyck, who had a visible nick near his right eye. "I came out and realized he was going to beat me to the puck so I might as well just sprawl out and hope for the best."

The 24-year-old goalie from Commerce, Mich., is now 25-6-6 on the season.

His calmness between the pipes has been a major factor in the Jets' rise to the upper tier of the NHL.

"I’ve always felt it. I’ve always described my game that way. I like to think that I’m a calm goalie," said Hellebuyck. "I like to have things around me at ease. I think that helps the team and I like to stick to it."

Rookie winger had a brutal giveaway with 90 seconds left in — and was forced to take a . The Canucks pulled their goalie, Anders Nilsson, but couldn't muster a on goal.

"What you find in young players is they make a good move (that) in the past would open up a lot of ice... here, (players) don’t come off you," said Winnipeg . "He can’t make that play and he knows it as soon as it happened, and he was easily the most nervous man in the building for that last stretch of hockey. (It's) important learning experiences."

Nilsson finished with 35 saves.

Winnipeg's penalty killers quashed two Canucks' man-advantage chances, including the late 6- on-4 with Nilsson on the bench.

The defensive pairing of Morrissey and Jacob Trouba, in particular, was outstanding, keeping the Canucks big shooters like rookie and Vanek and to the perimeter, while blocking shots and breaking up passing plays.

The duo's effort did not go unnoticed by Maurice.

"(They) were outstanding, really good box out by (Morrissey) at the end and the clear (of the puck) during the 6-on-4. Those two guys really excelled," he said.

The Jets are 13-3-0 record against teams in the Pacific Division this season. They head to this week for a pair of games against Pacific squads, facing the on Tuesday (9:30 p.m. CT) and then battling the Ducks Thursday (9 p.m. CT) in Anaheim prior to the NHL All-Star Weekend. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/roslovic-relishing-role-on-jets- 470398243.html

Roslovic relishing role on Jets

By: Mike Sawatzky

Jack Roslovic hasn't registered a in five games with the NHL's Winnipeg Jets this season, but there's little concern about the 2015 first-round draft pick's production.

The slick 20-year-old winger seems content with his role, drawing fourth-line minutes and some bonus time on the power play.

"It's been good," said Roslovic prior to the Jets game against the visiting Sunday night (7 p.m., Sportsnet, TSN 1290) at Bell MTS Place. "The transition's starting to turn a little bit so I'm just getting used to my game at the NHL level. Just trying to keep it simple and do what I'm best at.

"Playing with Matt (Hendricks) and Marko (Dano) you just chip the puck in, you get on the body and you really try to create energy for the team. Being on that first power play, too, with (Blake Wheeler) and Patty (Laine), Kyle (Connor) and (Dustin Byfuglien), I've just gotta be an option for them, retrieve pucks for them and sometimes get the puck and try to score."

Roslovic hasn't been without prime scoring chances. In fact, he hit a cross-bar during a Jan. 12 game against the and dinged a shot off a post during Saturday afternoon's 2-1 shootout win in Calgary.

"I know, it was tough here but I'm just trying to keep it simple," he said. "It's going to come here eventually. I'm just going to try to make the most of all my opportunities."

Roslovic, who was leading the AHL's Manitoba Moose in scoring with 35 points in 32 games prior to his recall, has the full support of head coach Paul Maurice.

"It's the perfect role for him right now as he tries and makes the transition," said Maurice. "It was kinda the same role Joel Armia was in, fourth-line minutes but power play time. He's been good at getting pucks off the wall at his end of the ice and he's been really good at skating and being on the puck. So there's been no sharking in his game. That's something that you do more of naturally when you play centre ice — you've gotta slow your game down a little bit and read both sides of the ice a little bit more. We think of having him on the wing kinda defines what he sees and has to do. I've liked all of that.

"So the things you worry about for a young guy, he hasn't shown a whole lot (of). He's not sharking around the ice, he's not coasting, he's on it and he's been pretty darn good on the wall in his end of the ice."

GOAL DROUGHT? Winnipeg has only scored three goals in its previous three games, but left- winger Nikolaj Ehlers said the situation is no cause for concern.

"We just watched video and the chances yesterday (against the Flames) we had were pretty big," said Ehlers. "We got two points yesterday and the chances we had yesterday, if we keep playing the way that we do, we're going to keep getting those, and at some point they have to go in."

Added Mathieu Perreault: "Chances are there. We looked at it this morning. We probably had six or seven Grade A chances. Niky had two himself. As long as the chances are there, we're fine."

TOO CLOSE TO CALL: The Jets entered Sunday's action one point behind the first-place in the Central with the rest of the division not far behind. Only 12 points separated the Preds and the seventh-place Chicago Blackhawks.

"I don't remember one like this where you looked at a division and thought every one of those teams is a playoff team or it looks like they could be; has won Stanley Cups recently or capable of going on a nine-game ," said Maurice. "Every one of those teams can get hot, or you can take a five-day break and everybody wins for the whole week, kinda thing. But I think everybody felt that fairly early that the Central Division was going to be really jammed up."

GOING BACK-TO-BACK: Connor Hellebuyck will get the start again tonight after a strong 30- save effort in Calgary. Giving Michael Hutchinson a start against the Canucks was not a strong consideration, despite the back-to-back scenario.

"It's back to back but we've had five (days off)," said Maurice. "Back to back is really only an issue really on how you come into that back to back. If you have a whole bunch of hockey before, then you feel it, but afternoon game to night game, I was pretty sure Helly was going all the way. He looked good last night."

Anders Nilsson is expected to get the start for the visitors, who were 5-2 losers in Edmonton Saturday night.

The Canucks are 1-3-1 in opening games of back-to-back games and 3-1-0 in the closing game. Winnipeg, meanwhile, is 2-3-1 in openers of a a back-to-back and 2-2-1 in the second game.

BO'S BACK: The Canucks are expected to have veteran forward Bo Horvath back in the lineup tonight after an extended stay on injured reserve due to a fractured foot. In 18 games without Horvath, the Canucks went 4-12-2. He could slot in on Vancouver's top line with Sven Baertschi and Brock Boeser.

Meanwhile, veteran will miss his second consecutive game with back spasms. will fill his spot on the roster.

JETS INJURY REPORT: Centre Adam Lowry (upper body) skated Sunday morning and Maurice said he might play Tuesday in San Jose.

Centre Mark Scheifle (upper body) remains on injured reserve, (concussion) day-to-day while left-winger Shawn Matthias (upper body) has been downgraded to week-to-week. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/manitoba-moose/injuries-call-ups-and-a- suspension-take-toll-on-manitoba-moose-470424053.html

Injuries, call-ups and a suspension take toll on Manitoba Moose

By: Mike McIntyre

The standings still say they're a first-place team and among the elite in the — but their recent play on the ice certainly suggests otherwise.

The Manitoba Moose are a bit of a mess these days as injuries, call-ups and a suspension have taken a heavy toll. They just completed a six-game homestand this past weekend with a pair of losses to the Texas Stars by scores of 4-0 and 5-1. Overall, Manitoba won just one game of the six at Bell MTS Place (1-4-1) and they are no longer the No. 1 team in the AHL.

That honour belongs to Marlies, who have jumped past the Moose. Manitoba is still No. 2 overall in the league with a very comfortable nine-point lead over the next best team in the Central division which they lead with a 26-10-5 record.

So where has it all gone wrong?

Well, Jack Roslovic has missed nine recent games since being recalled by the Winnipeg Jets. He was leading the Moose in scoring, while flirting with the scoring title in the AHL, before he moved up. His presence is certainly missed.

Buddy Robinson, the team's second leading scorer, missed the last two games with an injury. Forward JC Lipon has missed seven games with injury, while high-flying forward Chase De Leo was knocked out of the lineup after getting hurt during a rare fight last Friday.

Mike Sgarbossa, who sits fifth on the team in scoring, missed the past two games serving a suspension for a cross-checking match penalty he received. And depth forward Anthony Beauvillier is also out of the lineup with an injury.

No. 1 defenceman Cameron Schilling missed four games with an injury until his return on Saturday — only have reliable blue liner Peter Stoykewych unable to dress because of injury. And goalie Michael Hutchinson, who has been perhaps the best netminder in the entire league this year, is now on recall with the Jets because of another concussion to backup Steve Mason.

The Moose certainly had the depth to handle a few blows to their lineup. But missing their best forward, best defenceman, best goalie and a half-dozen other valuable pieces has clearly taken a toll.

It got so bad on Friday night that rookie defenceman Tucker Poolman was moved up to forward for part of the game out of necessity. Manitoba had started with just 11 forwards, and then had De Leo and Beauvillier both get hurt.

Manitoba has also had to recall forwards Jansen Harkins and Elgin Pearce from the ECHL, on the heels of summoning Jimmy Lodge from the same lower league. They also signed forward Garrett Meurs to a professional tryout just to be able to dress 12 healthy forwards in their most recent game.

The promising news, in addition to Schilling now being back, is that Sgarbossa's suspension is done and Robinson, De Leo, Lipon and Beauvillier are not expected to miss much more action.

Roslovic could also be on his way back if and when the Jets get healthy with Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry and Shawn Matthias all currently banged up. It looks like the crease belongs to Eric Comrie and Jamie Phillips for the time being, with Hutchinson likely up with the Jets for a while given Mason's uncertain status.

Manitoba kicks off a season-long nine game road trip Wednesday night in Belleville. They don't return to action at home until Feb. 15.

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/jets-shut-down-canucks-grind-out- another-win

Jets shut down Canucks, grind out another win

By Ted Wyman

This must be what the Winnipeg Jets had in mind when they said they were going to have to grind out a lot more hockey games in the later stages of the NHL season.

Sloppy at times and needing big plays from their defencemen and goaltender to cover up a few glaring mistakes, the Jets won 1-0 over the Vancouver Canucks Sunday night at Bell MTS Place in a game that was a snoozer up until the third period.

The Jets earned two wins in weekend games against the (they won 2-1 in a shootout on Saturday) and the Canucks despite scoring only two regulation-time goals. It sounds like fans should expect a lot more of those types of games as the season goes forward.

“Four points out of the four, so it’s not bad,” said Jets winger Patrik Laine, who scored the lone goal of the game at 11:45 of the first period.

“It’s going to be like this for the next couple of months but everybody here in this locker room is comfortable with that kind of game and that’s the reason why we’re winning. We’re a tight defensive team and we’ve got to score on the few chances that we get.”

Laine’s assessment that the Jets were tight defensively on Sunday wasn’t exactly accurate. They gave away far too many pucks in the second and third periods and it resulted in multiple odd-man rushes for the Canucks.

Blue-liners Toby Enstrom and Dmitry Kulikov both took away two-on-one chances by splaying flat out on the ice. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who made 29 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, came sliding out of his net to barely take away a breakaway from Markus Granlund before Brandon Sutter shot wide of the open net.

Rookie Kyle Connor made a potentially costly mistake with 1:30 left in the game, giving away the puck at the blue-line while trying to do too much, which resulted in a turnover and a penalty. The Canucks had a minute and a half of two-man advantage, with the goaltender pulled, but couldn’t even manage a shot on goal against Hellebuyck.

The Jets improved to 28-13-7 and moved into first place in the Central Division, one point ahead of the idle Nashville Predators. They are 17-3-1 at home.

And yet there is something different with this team. Despite being the third highest scoring team in the league, they have managed just one goal in each of the last four games, two wins and two losses.

“It just sort of gradually changes a little bit after Christmas,” Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey said. “Definitely you look at the standings and see how tight it I through the entire division and the intensity is definitely turned up. We responded well to being in some of these tight games which is a big growth point for our team.”

It was a game the Jets were supposed to win against a Western Conference bottom-feeder but even before the game, players were talking about their expectation that they would need to grind this one out.

They did just that, using their legs to make life difficult for a Canucks team that struggled to turn chances into quality shots on goal and is now 18-23-6 on the season.

“It wasn’t a great-feeling game but you get results doing it,” Jets Blake Wheeler said. “The more success you have doing it, the more comfortable and confident you get doing it, you realize it’s OK to win 1-0 or 2-1.

“We scored four goals in our last four games and we’re 2-2. That should tell you something.”

Just like in Calgary on Saturday, the Jets generated far more scoring opportunities than the score would indicate. They finished with 36 shots on goal and 68 shot attempts.

What’s been more impressive the last couple of games has been their overall defensive play. There’s a calmness when things start to go wrong, especially on the back end, where Trouba, Morrissey, Dustin Byfuglien, Enstrom, Tyler Myers and Kulikov have all been rock solid.

“I think they all have a real strong understanding of what they’re supposed to be doing (defensively),” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “I think the back end has really helped. You take two centres out of your lineup (Mark Scheifele and Adam Lowry) and it puts an awful lot of stress on your defence.

“It was a good win, pleased with it.” http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/roslovic-getting-his-chances-to-break- goose-egg

Roslovic getting his chances to break goose egg

By Ted Wyman

Jack Roslovic thought for sure he had his first NHL goal on Saturday.

“Yeah I did, but you can’t score them all,” Roslovic said Sunday before the Winnipeg Jets took on the Vancouver Canucks at Bell MTS Place.

He was working the middle on a power play, took a pass in the slot and ripped a shot that beat Flames goalie Mike Smith but clanged off the goal post.

The 20-year-old has now played seven NHL games — six this season — and has not recorded a point, but it’s not like he’s doing anything wrong.

While playing mostly on the fourth line with Matt Hendricks and Marko Dano, Roslovic he managed seven shots on goal in his first five games. He scored 35 points in 32 games with the Manitoba Moose this season.

“It’s the perfect role for him right now to try to make the transition,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “He’s playing in the same hole that Joel Armia was with fourth line minutes but also power play time. He’s been good at getting pucks off the wall in his end of the ice and he’s been really good at skating and being on the puck.”

Canadian Press https://www.chrisd.ca/2018/01/21/hellebuyck-29-saves-laine-scores-goal-jets-blank-canucks-1- 0/#.WmYRca6nFhE

Hellebuyck with 29 saves, Laine Scores Only Goal as Jets Blank Canucks 1-0

By Judy Owen, The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG – Connor Hellebuyck believes he’s calm in the crease.

The Winnipeg Jets goaltender had to be that as he held off the Vancouver Canucks to ensure Patrik Laine’s first-period goal was the only one needed in a 1-0 victory on Sunday.

Hellebuyck made 29 saves for this fourth shutout of the season as the Jets extended their home winning streak to six games.

“I like to think that I’m a calm goalie,” said Hellebuyck, who picked up his 25th win of the season. “I like to have things around me at ease. I think that helps the team and I like to stick to it.”

His teammates and fans at Bell MTS Place were feeling a bit anxious in the third period, when Hellebuyck was cut around his right eye. Teammate Josh Morrissey and Canuck Thomas Vanek got tangled up in the crease with under four minutes left in the game and a stick clipped the netminder. A trainer came out to tend to the wound and play continued.

“As far as I know, there was a shot coming in and I slid into it,” Hellebuyck said. “Pretty routine save and all of the sudden I have a stick poking me in the eye. I don’t really know everything in between that. Everything’s fine.”

The Jets (28-13-7) moved into first place in the NHL Central Division, one point ahead of idle Nashville.

Anders Nilsson stopped 35 shots for the Canucks (18-23-6), who had lost 5-2 to Edmonton the night before.

It was Nilsson’s sixth straight loss, but head coach said it was a good outing since the netminder hadn’t started for two weeks.

“Great game. Really good,” Green said. “I’m happy for him that he gave us a really good game on the road against a real good team.”

What wasn’t so great was a 6-on-4 the Canucks had in the last 1:30 of the game. Jets forward Kyle Connor was called for hooking and Nilsson went to the bench for the extra attacker, but the visitors didn’t get a shot on goal.

“I’m not going to sit and pick it apart,” Green said of the two-man advantage. “We were in their end the whole time. 6-on-4, you’d like to get a few better looks, but give their team credit.”

Jets captain Blake Wheeler notched his 40th assist of the season after he sent a backhand pass from behind the net out to Laine in front and he gave his team the lead at 11:45 of the first period.

“It’s going to be like this for the next couple of months, but everybody here in this locker room is comfortable with that kind of game and that’s the reason why we’re winning,” Laine said. “We’re a tight defensive team and we’ve got to score on the few chances that we get.”

Canucks centre Bo Horvat was back on the ice after missing 18 games with a broken bone in his foot suffered on Dec. 5.

“It took me a little bit to get going, get my legs under me and my timing back, but as the game when on I felt it got better and better,” Horvat said. “Obviously not the result we wanted, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Winnipeg has a two-game road trip before the all-star break, starting Tuesday in San Jose and Thursday in Anaheim. The Canucks host Los Angeles and Buffalo on the same days.

Global Winnipeg https://globalnews.ca/news/3978986/winnipeg-jets-regain-top-spot-with-weekend-sweep-of- canucks-and-flames/

Winnipeg Jets regain top spot with weekend sweep of Canucks and Flames

By Kelly Moore Radio Host

The Winnipeg Jets came out of their bye week with a pair of strong defensive efforts, including a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Bell MTS Place on Sunday Night.

Connor Hellebuyck made 29 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, after allowing just one goal on 31 shots in the Jets 2-1 shootout victory at Calgary the day before.

There were some anxious moments when Hellebuyck took an inadvertent stick in the eye from team mate Josh Morrissey late in the game when the Winnipeg defenceman was battling in the crease with Canucks forward Thomas Vanek.

The all star netminder is now second in the league with 25 wins, and tied for second in shutouts while ranking near the top among NHL starting goalies with a 2.29 goals against average and .925 saves percentage.

Patrik Laine scored his team leading 21st goal of the season off a perfect behind the net feed from Blake Wheeler midway through the first period. That was the only puck to get past Vancouver’s Anders Nilsson who suffered his sixth consecutive loss despite making 35 saves.

The Jets improved to 17-3-1 at home and 28-13-7 overall to move a point ahead of idle Nashville and into first place in the Central Division. The Predators have played three fewer games than Winnipeg who visit San Jose on Tuesday and Anaheim Thursday before returning for the start of a 10 game home stand, beginning a week from tomorrow versus the .

Vancouver Sun http://vancouversun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/jets-1-canucks-0-what-we- learned/wcm/82874e41-2205-47bb-af5e-46450f4f25d8

Jets 1 Canucks 0: Structure, purpose but a shutout loss nonetheless

By Ed Willes

WINNIPEG — Sunday night, Bo Horvat returned to the Vancouver Canucks’ lineup for the first time since Dec. 5.

In his absence, the Canucks went an NHL worst 4-12-2 over that span.

Here’s what we learned in Winnipeg.

A shining light The good news? One night after they hung Jacob Markstrom out to dry in Edmonton, structure and purpose returned to the Canucks’ game. The more relevant news? Their offence dried up like a prune against Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets.

The visitors directed 29 shots at Hellebuyck — the surprise all-star — but didn’t sustain any pressure, didn’t make things uncomfortable for the Jets and didn’t really produce a clean scoring chance. Their most dangerous look came midway through the third when Hellebuyck came charging out of his net and poked the puck away from Markus Granlund right to Brandon Sutter. Sutter’s shot glanced off the outside of the post.

Beyond that, there was a lot of one-and-dones, harmless muffins from the perimeter and a handful of odd-man rushes which failed to produce a shot on goal.

“We have to put ourselves in a situation where we have some more zone time,” said. “Right now we’re coming down and it’s one shot. It’s either a save or they’re coming back at us.

“There was better structure for sure, but from that structure we have to create more offence. That wasn’t good enough.”

Bo returns Horvat returned to centre a line with Brock Boeser and Sven Baertschi and the unit was largely ineffective. The best chances seemed to fall to the Sutter-Granlund-Sam Gagner line but their execution around the net was dreadful.

The Canucks also played the last 90 seconds at 6-on-4 after the Jets’ Kyle Connor took a late minor without, and this is hard to believe, producing a shot on goal. They also cleared the Jets’ zone once by themselves on an errant pass from .

“I’m not going to pick it apart,” Canucks head coach Travis Green said. “We’d like to get some better looks but give them credit.

“It was a good hockey game. 1-0 on the road. Our team played a pretty solid game on the road. We got good goaltending. We just couldn’t find a way to score.”

Back up moves forward Anders Nilsson, making his first start in two weeks, gave the Canucks a chance, stopping 35 of 36 shots. His best save came late in the second when he went post-to-post to rob Mathieu Perreault.

“Nothing more than he’s capable of,” Canucks head coach Travis Green answered when asked what he expected of Nilsson before the game. “It’s what we ask for our goalie’s every night, just a good sound game.”

Finding the right mix After the dismal effort in Edmonton, Green took the mixmaster to his team’s lineup against the Jets. Right winger and defenceman Ben Hutton were scratched from the lineup with Alex Biega replacing Hutton on the blue-line and Sam Gagner, who had been playing centre, moving to Virtanen’s spot on the wing.

Roster moves Canucks defenceman Erik Gubranson, the walking rumour, missed his second straight game with back spasms. Green reported Gudbranson is day-to-day. To account for Horvat’s return to the lineup, Michael Chaput was sent back to Utica.

NHL.com https://www.nhl.com/news/vancouver-canucks-winnipeg-jets-game-recap/c-295163868

Hellebuyck, Jets shut out Canucks Goalie makes 29 saves to help Winnipeg regain lead in Central by Scott Billeck / NHL.com Correspondent

WINNIPEG -- Connor Hellebuyck made 29 saves and Patrik Laine scored to help the Winnipeg Jets to a 1-0 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Bell MTS Place on Sunday.

Hellebuyck, who was named an All-Star for the first time in his NHL career on Jan. 10, is 25-6-6 with four shutouts. He is 8-2-2 in his past 12 starts.

"It was a team shutout tonight," Hellebuyck said. "The guys played really good in front of me, they kept things to the outside and made my game pretty easy."

Winnipeg (28-13-7) moved into first place in the Central Division, one point ahead of the Nashville Predators. The Jets are 8-2-1 in their past 11 games.

Anders Nilsson made 35 saves for the Canucks (18-23-6). Vancouver is 2-6-1 in its past nine games and 4-13-2 in its past 19. Nilsson has lost six straight starts and hasn't won since Nov. 30, a 5-3 victory against Nashville.

"I felt good, but tough to not get a point tonight," Nilsson said. "I think maybe we deserved one point, but it was a tough game and their goalie played good and kept the puck out of the net for them."

The Canucks played the final 1:30 of the third period with a 6-on-4 man-advantage but did not have a shot on goal.

"It was a good hockey game," Canucks coach Travis Green said. "A 1-0 game on the road, you know your team played a pretty solid game and got good goaltending. Just couldn't find a way to score."

Laine scored at 11:45 of the first period, converting a one-timer in the slot after Blake Wheeler found him from behind the net. Laine leads the Jets with 21 goals.

"Four points out of the four, so it's not bad," Laine said. "It's going to be like this for the next couple of months, but everybody here in this locker room is comfortable with that kind of game and that's the reason why we're winning.

"We're a tight defensive team and we've got to score on the few chances that we get."

Nilsson kept it a 1-0 game when he slid across his crease to save Mathieu Perreault's one-timer after a centering feed from Nikolaj Ehlers with 15 seconds remaining in the second period.

Goal of the game Laine's goal at 11:45 of the first period.

Save of the game Hellebuyck's glove save against Nic Dowd at 3:09 of the second period.

Highlight of the game Nilsson's save against Perreault at 19:45 of the second period.

They said it "It took me a little bit to get going, get my legs under me and my timing back, but as the game when on I felt it got better and better. Obviously not the result we wanted, but it's a step in the right direction." -- Canucks forward Bo Horvat

"I think they have a real strong understanding of what they're supposed to be doing (defensively). We're still young in just age on some guys, but the overall structure their understanding is good. I think the back end has really helped. You take two centers out of your lineup (Mark Scheifele and Adam Lowry), it puts an awful lot of stress on your defense." -- Jets coach Paul Maurice

Need to know Horvat returned after missing 18 games because of a lower-body injury. … Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson missed his second straight game because of back spasms. … The Canucks have been shut out four times this season. … Wheeler has 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in his past 11 games.

What's next Canucks: Host the on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; SN, FS-W, NHL.TV) Jets: At the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, TSN3, NHL.TV)

Sportsnet.ca http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/takeaways-positive-vibes-canucks-dont-translate-points/

Takeaways: Positive vibes for Canucks don’t translate into points

By Iain MacIntyre

So much hope, so few points.

The Vancouver Canucks went 0-for-the-weekend, losing 1-0 Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets less than 24 hours after they were beaten 5-2 in Edmonton by the Oilers.

The Canucks soared into last week’s schedule break with consecutive road wins in Columbus and Minnesota, and returned to work buoyed that top centre Bo Horvat was ready to play after breaking his foot on Dec. 5, which led to a 2-11-2 slump that ruined Vancouver’s season.

But all those positive feelings failed to translate into points, although the Canucks did play a pretty solid road game in Winnipeg against a more powerful team than the one they lost to in Edmonton.

The Jets, however, have been all but untouchable at home against the Canucks since the franchise moved back to from Atlanta in 2011. Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 29 Vancouver shots and Patrik Laine scored the game’s only goal in the first period, shooting through Canuck goalie Anders Nilsson from the slot after the Jets’ sniper was left unchecked by defenceman Chris Tanev.

With Horvat playing his first game back after getting another prep day in Edmonton, the Canucks were far better against the Jets than they were against the Oilers, when they were careless with the puck and surrendered a tonne of Grade-A scoring chances. But their opposition was better, too.

Winnipeg has won nine of its last 10 games against Vancouver and is 7-0-1 at home against the Canucks since 2011.

Here are some takeaways from the game.

Bo Didley Horvat had a few good moments but, not surprisingly, didn’t exhibit his usual explosiveness in his first game back from a broken foot. In the second period, it looked like he would blow past defenceman Dimitry Kulikov but the Jet got his stick in the way of Horvat’s backhand attempt.

Horvat managed only a single shot on net in the game. Still, Canuck coach Travis Green liked Horvat enough that his ice time of 19:05 was second among forwards behind only linemate Brock Boeser’s 19:14.

Green reunited Horvat, Boeser and Sven Baertschi. But the best Canuck forward was Brandon Sutter, who hit the post during a third-period scramble, was involved in a pair of late two-on-one rushes and caused the turnover and Jets’ penalty that allowed Vancouver to play the final 90 seconds at six-on-four.

The finest Canuck was goalie Nilsson, who stopped 35 of 36 shots in his best start since November.

Shoot the puck We understand Henrik Sedin is the second greatest passer of his generation, behind only San Jose’s Joe Thornton, and is on the ice to create plays, not finish them. But if he is going to categorically refuse to shoot the puck, perhaps he shouldn’t be stationed near the net on the power play and used with the goalie out late in games.

During the Canucks’ final two-man-advantage, Sedin twice passed up glorious shooting opportunities in favour of passes that went nowhere. The Jets didn’t even look like they were trying to defend a shot by Henrik, but merely stood back in the passing lanes. For the season, Sedin has two goals (and 30 assists) in 47 games. In eight games this month, he has put five shots on target.

Hellebuyck's sliding poke check thwarts Granlund's scoring opportunity

Sedins return? After Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reported Saturday on that Daniel and Henrik Sedin wish to return to the Canucks for another season, Vancouver told us during the game in Edmonton that he has heard from neither the twins nor their agent, JP Barry, about the 37-year-olds’ intentions.

But the organization has been operating this winter with the hope that the Sedins would want to sign for another season after their four-year, $28-million contracts expire this summer. That hope has been bolstered by the Sedins’ productive play after a slow start.

Benning said last week for a Sportsnet.ca column about the GM’s future that the Sedins would continue to be positive influences if they return. Benning used the example of Thomas Vanek helping Brock Boeser’s development this season rather than hindering it by occupying a roster spot.

Here is the full quote from Benning, which did not appear in Friday’s column: "If the Sedins come back, they’ll just be a positive influence. I don’t know if (top draft pick) can come in and make our team. But he’s having a great season in Sweden, and he’ll have to have a good summer and then come into training camp and we’ll see. If he does, I see the Sedins helping him in his development.

"If they continue their pace, they’re going to have 50-point seasons again. And it’s not only on the ice they help us; it’s the example they set for our young players, the Boesers and the Horvats, on how they conduct themselves. They’re professionals. There’s a lot behind the scenes that people don’t see where they are still a big influence on our group."

Sedin contract If the Sedins want to play next year, signing them won’t be a problem. The Canucks and players will find a number that works for both sides and it will be for considerably less than the $7 million apiece they’ve been making.

The issue is what cost to player development would the Canucks incur if they dedicate two of their top-nine forward roster sports to 38-year-olds? The short answer: probably not much if it’s only one season.

NCAA scoring leader Adam Gaudette, a 21-year-old fifth-round draft pick from 2015, is expected to join the Canucks late this season after his junior year at Northeastern University ends. He’ll have a chance to make the Canucks next fall, as will Pettersson, 19, and one or two others prospects.

But accommodating two rookies in the top nine shouldn’t be a problem. And if it is, it’s a problem the Canucks will love to have.

One more Sedin sidenote Vanek still expects to be traded. But he did say last week when asked about possibly re-signing with the Canucks – presumably the team would want to know his intentions before the trade deadline – he’d be more inclined to stay if the Sedins are back because that will ensure Vancouver is competitive. Make of that what you will. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/hellebuyck-earns-fourth-shutout-as-jets-blank-canucks/c- 295165920

Hellebuyck earns fourth shutout as Jets blank Canucks Laine scores team-leading 21st goal of the season by Mitchell Clinton @MitchellClinton / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - Mathieu Perreault said Sunday morning the Winnipeg Jets are getting more and more comfortable winning games 2-1 and 1-0.

That 2-1 shootout win came in Calgary on Saturday. He wouldn't have to wait long for the 1-0 decision he referenced, either.

In fact, it came Sunday night, when the Winnipeg Jets (28-13-7) shut out the Vancouver Canucks 1-0.

Patrik Laine scored his team-leading 21st of the season, while Connor Hellebuyck earned his fourth shutout of the season, making 29 saves.

"It's always nice to score. It was a great way to open up the game, and I think that got us going. It was a great play from our line, and it was great to finish," said Laine.

"It's going to be like this for the next couple months. But I think everyone in this locker room is comfortable with that kind of game. That's the reason we're winning these games. We're a tight defensive team. We just have to score with those few chances that we get."

Laine's goal came 11:45 into the first period, off a Blake Wheeler pass from below the goal line. The pass, made possible from some quick stops and starts from Wheeler to shed the check of Bo Horvat, led to Wheeler's 40th assist of the season.

The trio of Laine, Wheeler, and Kyle Connor were buzzing all night, combining for eight shots on goal.

"Today was a good game for us. We started off doing pretty good, then we hit the Chicago game, and I didn't really like the last few games," said Wheeler. "We were kind of just chipping pucks out, and chipping pucks in, and not doing anything - just kind of eating minutes off the clock. I think the three of us are capable of more than that.

"I think it was a good game for us tonight. I thought Kyle and Patty really skated well tonight."

The Jets are now 9-1-7 in one-goal games, and improve to 22-0-1 when leading after 40 minutes. In fact, the third period was the team's best, in head coach Paul Maurice's opinion.

"I liked the third period in general. It was the place we generated the most, and the highest quality offence we had during the game," said Maurice. "Which was a good sign you're not sitting on this game and you're not trying to hold at one.

"We were good in the third. I liked our start, didn't like some of what we gave up in the second period on a lot of the stretches, but I liked the finish."

The win also improved Hellebuyck's personal record against the Pacific Division to 11-1-0 this season. But his 10th career shutout didn't come easy, as in the third period he was clipped by a stick near his right eye while trying to make a stop on a Brock Boeser wrist shot.

Earlier in that same period, Hellebuyck went "full Dominik Hasek" in the words of captain Wheeler.

With Markus Granlund chasing down a puck on a partial breakaway, Hellebuyck decided to leave his crease and attempt to poke check the puck away.

"I kind of hesitated for a second, which put me in a tougher spot," said Hellebuyck.

"But I realized the puck was still sliding pretty good, so I thought I should try out some defence for once. I came out, then I realized he was going to beat me to the puck. So I thought I'd sprawl out and hope for the best."

It worked out, and despite the Jets having to kill a 6-on-4 Vancouver power play for the last 90 seconds, the one-goal lead would be enough, vaulting the Jets to first place in the Central Division, one point clear of the Nashville Predators.

After this brief stop at home, the Jets now head back on the road for two games before the NHL All-Star weekend. The first stop is in San Jose against the Sharks.

"They're both playing well," said Maurice. "These will be heavy, but fast games. We have to keep it going." https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--paul-maurice/t-277437442/c-56904703

POSTGAME | Paul Maurice

Head Coach Paul Maurice addresses the media post-game at Bell MTS Place https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--blake-wheeler/t-277437442/c-56904403

POSTGAME | Blake Wheeler

Blake Wheeler on the team's defensive play, Connor Hellebuyck's impressive run, and building confidence in tight games down the stretch https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/postgame--josh-morrissey/t-277437442/c-56904603

POSTGAME | Josh Morrissey

Josh Morrissey on the team's commitment to defence and how they're getting more and more comfortable playing in tight, playoff-type games