Thomas' Five Storylines - WPG vs. VAN

BACK TO LB
Laurent Brossoit will get his fifth start of the season tonight as the Jets host the Vancouver Canucks. Brossoit shut out the Canucks in his last start, which was on February 19th on the west coast, making 29 saves to record his second career shutout. Brossoit has the best regular season save percentage against the Vancouver Canucks since 1979-80, posting a .981 save percentage in four appearances.

POOLMAN ALSO COMES INTO THE LINEUP
Tucker Poolman will jump on the blueline this evening after missing the last three games. Poolman has only played in seven of the Jets 21 games this season because of this latest injury and having COVID-19 earlier in 2021. The 27-year-old was starting to round back into form getting more comfortable with defence partner Josh Morrissey before he got hurt in Vancouver on February 21st.
TAKING TIME TO GET GOING
The Jets have been slow starters when it comes to scoring goals in the first period especially in their last five games where they have been outscored 7-1. Mark Scheifele has Winnipeg's only first period marker over that five game stretch and that came in the opening frame in Vancouver on February 19th. Head coach Paul Maurice would like to see his group be a little more direct in their offensive game to start games.
"It's not in the frightening area. I would think over the last day we've dropped to about third to sixth or seventh in offence in the NHL," said Maurice.
"And we are playing in a fairly loose division I think. We've tried to play a tighter game this year (defensively) than we have in the past and some of that relates to our offensive game."
SCHEIFELE GREAT AFTER LOSSES
The Jets bounce back efforts following losses has been well documented with their 5-0-1 record following a regulation loss. One of the reasons for the turn arounds is the play of Mark Scheifele who has a at least a point in every single contest following a loss with three goals and nine assists this season.
DUBOIS MOVES BACK TO CENTRE
In an effort to get some offence going on Monday night, Paul Maurice switched Paul Stastny to the left side with Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. Pierre-Luc Dubois moved between Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor. Centre is Dubois' natural position and his line generated some offence after the switch.
"I think centre allows me to skate more," said Dubois.
"Like I've said before wherever you are in this lineup you are surrounded by talent."