For the first time, the Vegas Golden Knights will take on the Vancouver Canucks in a sanctioned hockey match. They’re probably a lot more excited than most of Canucks nation but a first is a first. Vegas will be without their star defenseman, Luca Sbisa, but they should be able to contend against such a rock star group of players that are the Vancouver Canucks.
Yesterday was no joke. The Canucks are going to own this preseason and it doesn’t matter where they play. LA, Vancouver, China? Who cares! This team is for real and the NHL will take note after this beatdown.
WATCH / LISTEN / FACE OFF
TV: SNET-P
RADIO: SNET 650
PUCK DROP: 2:00 PM
LINE COMBINATIONS
Most likely, Brock Boeser and Jake Virtanen are in today after strong performances against the Kings. As it’s a home game, Henrik and Daniel Sedin will probably see today’s game as well before leaving on a jet plane to China.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of… no one yet:
Based on these scrimmage lines, this may be a solid look at what we could expect to see this afternoon:
Canucks training camp lines at Rogers Arena today @Sportsnet650 pic.twitter.com/PuxLR2JyQA
— Satiar Shah (@SatiarShah) September 15, 2017
There is some serious, good, young talent on this roster today with forwards Nick Suzuki and Cody Glass (Canucks Army favs) highlighting the group. Lots of former WHL talent on this team so I hate to say it, Vegas might be in good hands.
OK, no more compliments.
Vegas Golden Knights lines courtesy of NHL.com:
Forwards: William Carrier, Cody Glass, Tomas Hyka, Keegan Kolesar, Brendan Leipsic, Stefan Matteau, Tomas Nosek, Nick Suzuki, Paul Thompson, Alex Tuch, TJ Tynan and Tyler Wong
Defensemen: Jake Bischoff, Nicolas Hague, Brad Hunt, Griffin Reinhart, Clayton Stoner and Shea Theodore
Goaltenders: Dylan Ferguson and Jiri Patera
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Brock Boeser with a laser.
What a release.#Canucks win 4-3 in OT pic.twitter.com/Ok4ZkJo5FP
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) September 16, 2017
- This guy was a gift to the Canucks. His release has been talked about for awhile now and he clearly has a dangerous shot, you want to know what to watch for, how about what to watch out for. This guy is for real.
- Another strong start for Vancouver. OK, maybe less penalties but everything that resembled the first half of the game was promising. There was deflections, there was smart passing and even a tilt. Entertainment is slowly finding it’s way back into Canucks games.
- Speed could be the name of the game today with a bunch of speedsters on both sides of the puck. Too many to name but it will be evident early on. Expect to see defenders on both teams get burned today. Not sure if that’s a good thing but we’ll be entertained so that’s good. Right?
- Kole Lind had a good Rookie Tournament and now it’s kind of for real. He’ll no doubt turn some heads and even for just a few shifts, imagine what he’d look like with the Sedins.
- Olli Juolevi needs a morale boost. Some solid ice time today could elevate him back to where he’s a difference maker.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Tomorrow: VGK preseason debut at @Canucks
Now: Our @EASportsNHL debut
RT this for chance to win a free #NHL18
More: https://t.co/IUp2ItakDl pic.twitter.com/f9wqLammWo— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 16, 2017
FOCUS, VEGAS! Expansion teams just don’t take these games seriously enough.
MY TAKE
After yesterday’s exciting finish, I honestly don’t know how anything could be better? Vegas is part of the NHL now if they are even 1/10th as cool as their Twitter persona, good things are ahead. It would be a great idea to maybe take fewer penalties today and oh, I dunno, shoot the puck a bit more.
SCORE PREDICTION
Simple and to the point – Canucks win it in regulation 3-1.
Absolutely fascinated with this one. Shame Fleury won’t be in net for Vegas but Glass, Suzuki and Hague will be of particular interest as two of the three could’ve been Canuck picks I believe.
“Boeser blows by Hague like he was a turnstile.” B.Bathcelor
If Glass makes Vegas and scores 35-45 points will the same hysteria take place like what happened with the Viratanen pick? I suspect not.
I’d like to see Virtanen continue the hard hitting he’s been bringing.A few Vegas first rounders need a little Jake sandpaper to welcome them to the NHL.
Virtanen is a bust. He’ll be a great AHLer though.
Is he even playing? The Knights look like the Pens against these Ca-slugs lol. What a brutal bunch of nobodies Vancouver are, seriously, can’t wait to own them in the Pacific.
Well, yeah.
Most of the anticipated real team’s on their way to China.
What you saw was pretty much the Young Stars Tournament team from Penticton with some Utica veterans topping up.
the same hysteria with Tkachuk and OJ
Of course it will. The self loathing canuck fans know no other way.
What a lineup iced by the Canucks.
Maybe a couple players with realistic shots at joining the big club, and the rest all bound for Utica or worse.
I think Megna, Chaput, Biega, and Bachman are the only four players who qualify as “veterans” (yeah, I know, right) under the 8-vet-minimum preseason rule–I guess the league let them off the hook so they can take the veteran-loaded team to China.
Owait, Biega didn’t even play.
…Though I can’t say I’m overly familiar with the Vegas team that trounced them.
I’m surprised Boeser isn’t going to China, he was the only Canucks player today who looked like an NHLer, but 9-4?? that was totally embarrassing.
Demko and Juolevi look a long way off, as do Virtanen and Goldy. Gonna be a long season methinks. In comparison, the Knights prospects look good, real good. Don’t f^^k with the Wongs!
Yep, I was hoping we wouldn’t regret not picking Glass, I hoped wrong, the kid is going to be a star right away. I am genuinely shocked how fast and good the Vegas kids are. That was basically Utica they stomped all over. What’s it gonna be like when their big guns join the fray. Happy days.
Bachman and Demko let in nine goals.
The Ferguson kid fom Lantzville played great.
Vegas had an NHL d-corps out there.The Canucks had juniors/AHL’ers.
Chaput,Megna and the kids.
Judging the next 10 years off of one game huh?
Ouch!
We can’t allow nine goals against ever again. Lots of puck watching and standing around by our defensemen, hanging our goalies out to dry.
On a positive note, Boeser and Virtanen look good.
Next!
These are the games Olli J. must show why Benning selected him so high in the draft. Olli seems to be slipping backwards.
Yes, slipping being the key word because he sure isn’t skating backwards with any effectiveness. Brutal pick.