NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets - Source: Imagn

Pettersson, Miller blanked, first-period meltdown, and more: 3 reasons why Vancouver Canucks lost 6-1 in blowout against Winnipeg Jets

Modified Jan 15, 2025 04:01 GMT

The Vancouver Canucks suffered a 6-2 blowout loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night at Canada Life Centre. Kyle Connor registered a hat trick, scoring three times in the first period to give the Jets a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Neal Pionk, Nino Niederreiter and Mark Scheifele (PPG) also scored for the Jets. Nils Hoglander got the Canucks on the board at 9:16 of the third period.

Here’s a look at the three key reasons the Canucks were blown out by the Jets on Tuesday night.

3 reasons why Vancouver Canucks lost in blowout to Winnipeg Jets

#1. Special teams failure

The Vancouver Canucks' special teams were a disaster on Tuesday night against the Jets. The power play went 0-for-2, wasting an opportunity in the first period to get back into the game.

Dylan Samberg went to the box for slashing at 9:58, when the game was still 1-0. Had the Canucks connected on the power play, the game would have been tied. Instead, they didn’t score, and Kyle Connor added two more goals to put the game out of reach.

The penalty kill also failed, giving up a goal to Mark Scheifele early in the third period. In fairness, the game was already out of reach by that point, but the lack of effort led to the goal, effectively adding insult to injury.

#2. First-period meltdown

The Vancouver Canucks had a chance to get back into the game before it completely slipped away. With the score 1-0, Connor scored his second goal of the period at the 13-minute mark. Thirty-six seconds later, he completed his hat trick to make it 3-0.

The defensive lapse allowed Connor to wreak havoc on the Canucks. That lack of defense carried over into the second period, as Neal Pionk scored 39 seconds into the frame. The game was 4-0 at that point, essentially putting it out of reach for good.

#3. Pettersson, Miller blanked

With much speculation surrounding Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller’s potential trade situations, their scoreless night did them no favors.

Miller played just over 14 minutes, finishing with a minus-1 rating over 24 shifts. He managed two shots on goal but failed to generate any significant scoring chances.

Pettersson logged just under 18 minutes of ice time in 23 shifts, registering one shot on goal and a minus-1 rating.

Pettersson and Miller will need to step up, as long as they remain in Vancouver. The Canucks are on the fringes of the Western Conference playoff race, and the team hopes both will continue to be meaningful contributors.

The Vancouver Canucks will get a chance to turn things around when they visit the LA Kings on Thursday night.