8 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNP, TSN3
And another huh...what moment to the schedule makers as the Canucks finish their season in Winnipeg against a non-division team. Not sure what type of game we will get tonight, as both teams are set in their playoff position and neither really wants to risk injuries before the playoff start. The Jets get home ice against Colorado and the Canucks found out they get they get Nashville last night. My preference has always been playing Nashville first, not because the Preds are a bad team, but because I don't think the Canucks could beat the Kings or Golden Knights in a 1st round series. If the Canucks can beat Nashville, and get some confidence, then all bets are off.
Look at me...writing about playoffs. Who would have thought that last April? The changes made after Jan this year, have changed the course of this franchise. the moves by management have been pretty good and look what happens when you have a coaching staff that coaches. The players want to be better and bought into a system of responsibility. It has been great to see this team create a new identity and battle through injuries to win a division title.
It took 81 games to get a game where there is less pressure to perform, but there are still some individuals who have something to play for. Dakota Joshua has 18 goals and will be a UFA next year. A 20 goal season may add a couple hundred-thousand dollars to his next contract. Starting the year as someone who supposedly wanted out, Conor Garland only needs one goal to hit the 20-goal plateau. Filip Hronek only needs 2 points to reach 50. (Won't get a chance) Petey needs a point to hit 90 for the year. Suter, Bluegar and Myers are all close to 30 points. Hogs needs one more goal for 25. I would love to see Podz get a goal before the playoffs...especially after re-signing today. With all the players sitting for Winnipeg, some of these might be achievable.
8 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNP, TSN3
Canucks projected lineup
Nils Hoglander -- Elias Pettersson -- Ilya Mikheyev
Dakota Joshua -- Elias Lindholm -- Conor Garland
Vasily Podkolzin -- Teddy Blueger -- Sam Lafferty
Pius Suter -- Nils Aman -- Phillip Di Giuseppe
Quinn Hughes -- Noah Juulsen
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Nikita Zadorov -- Mark Friedman
Thatcher Demko
Casey DeSmith
Scratched: J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, Ian Cole, Filip Hronek
Injured: None
Jets projected lineup
Nikolaj Ehlers -- Sean Monahan -- Tyler Toffoli
Alex Iafallo -- Brad Lambert -- Gabriel Vilardi
Nino Niederreiter -- David Gustafsson -- Nikita Chibrikov
Cole Perfetti -- Rasmus Kupari -- Mason Appleton
Nate Schmidt -- Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg -- Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley -- Colin Miller
Laurent Brossoit
Collin Delia
Scratched: Parker Ford, Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, Morgan Barron, Vladislav Namestnikov, Josh Morrissey, Brenden Dillon, Connor Hellebuyck
Injured: None
Status report
Boeser, a forward, and J.T. Miller, a center, will not play due to maintenance. ... Forwards Aman and Di Giuseppe enter the lineup. … Defensemen Juulsen and Friedman will play in place of Hronek and Cole. … Demko will make his second straight start after missing 14 games with a knee injury. ... The Jets recalled forwards Nikita Chibrikov, Parker Ford, and Brad Lambert and goalie Collin Delia from Manitoba of the American Hockey League on Thursday; Chibrikov and Lambert each will make his NHL debut and Delia will back up Brossoit. ... Winnipeg will rest several players, including centers Scheifele, Lowry and Namestnikov, forwards Connor and Barron, defensemen Morrissey and Dillon and goalie Hellebuyck. ... Schmidt and Colin Miller enter the lineup.
Game Day Battle Hymn
I feel bad that the Canucks have to go to Winnipeg for their last game. I mean...it's Winnipeg. So I find it only fitting that to have this song to end the season.
We are off to the playoffs everyone!!
Go Canucks Go!
