Rick Tocchet Announces Starting Goaltender & Lineup Change for Tonight's Game Against Winnipeg Jets

The Vancouver Canucks are in Winnipeg tonight to face the Central Division leading Jets for an all-Canadian showdown as they wrap up a five-game road trip.

To this point, the Canucks have struggled on the road trip, aside from their shutout win in Toronto on Saturday night and it's imperative that they finish off strong tonight before heading back to Vancouver for Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Kings.

Rick Tocchet met with reporters in Winnipeg a short while ago where he announced the team's starting netminder, as well as a pretty significant lineup change that'll come as welcome news to the fans.

Finnish netminder Kevin Lankinen, who's been lights out all season for the Canucks, especially on the road, will get the start tonight against Winnipeg, marking his 30th appearance this season.

The 29-year-old has a 16-7-6 record along with a 2.51 goals against average, a .906 save percentage and four shutouts in 29 games this season.

As for the blueline, Czech defenseman Filip Hronek is set to make his return to the lineup after missing the last 21 games with a lower-body injury which required a procedure.

Hronek joined the team in Winnipeg yesterday after spending a few days down in the American Hockey League on a conditioning stint, where he was able to practice with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Tocchet shared with the media that Filip Hronek will slot right into his usual spot next to Quinn Hughes on the top defensive pairing, but will monitor his minutes tonight.

Puck drop for tonight's game in Winnipeg against the Jets is set for 5 pm PT and can be viewed on Sportsnet Pacific in the Vancouver area.