Top-pairing defenceman Filip Hronek is expected to return to the lineup when the Vancouver Canucks visit the Winnipeg Jets tonight.

VANCOUVER — A promising season is beginning to slip away for the Vancouver Canucks. The team came into the campaign with hopes of a second straight playoff run, but 44 games in, the Canucks (19-15-10) are stuck in a slump and have fallen out of the Western Conference's second wild-card spot.

One of the biggest heading into this game is will the Canucks seek retribution on Tanner Jeannot? When these two teams met in November, Jeannot delivered a headshot to Brock Boeser, which resulted in a suspension for Jeannot and a concussion for Boeser.

Alex Turcotte scored twice and added an assist — all in the first 10 minutes — as the Los Angeles Kings thumped the struggling Vancouver Canucks 5-1.

Alex Turcotte scored twice and notched an assist as the Los Angeles Kings thumped the struggling host Vancouver Canucks 5-1 on Thursday. Turcotte’s first tally of the night came 51 seconds into the game and, before the end of the first period, the 23-year-old winger helped the Kings to a 3-0 lead.

Alex Turcotte scored twice and added an assist as the Los Angeles Kings thumped the struggling Vancouver Canucks 5-1.

Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault (24) shoots the puck past Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 7 ...

Los Angeles Kings' Alex Turcotte (15) scores on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) as Filip Hronek (17) and Los Angeles' Phillip Danault (24) watch during the first period of an NHL ...

Los Angeles Kings' Alex Turcotte (15) scores on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) as Filip Hronek (17) and Los Angeles' Phillip Danault (24) watch during the first period of an NHL ...

"Could have had a better record, but it's OK, we get to go back home and then refresh and go back on the road again," Kings forward Phillip ... against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

The Kings have played 26 games on the road this season, compared to just 17 at home. They have excelled at home, boasting the best home record in the league at 14-2-1. However, their performance on the road has seen more games ending with losses,

At one point this season, the New Jersey Devils looked as if they might be the best team in the NHL. That has not been the case lately, as the Devils' offense flails and they slide further down the NHL Power Rankings.