THE INTRO

Knocking off the Vegas Golden Knights was one thing but could the Vancouver Canucks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in the same week, too? We’ll find out when these two teams face-off for Hockey Night in Canada. It’s been a minute since Brock Boeser was “lucky” against Matt Murray and scored a hat-trick but tonight would be a great reminder that he can score those kinds of goals. The Canucks need them, the fans need them, and Brock’s confidence needs them.

Anything is possible.

Let’s Do This!™

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

The odds for tonight’s game are: (VAN -120/ PIT +100) courtesy of OddsShark.com

TV / RADIO / PUCK DROP

CBC / SN 650 / 7:00 PM

LINEUPS

Stating the obvious after last game but Josh Leivo has been placed on LTIR. Personal prediction: he’s out until March. Zack MacEwen has been recalled and it seems like he’s been THE guy to call up and that the Canucks are grooming him to be a full-time participant.

Jacob Markstrom is gonna start. He’s the guy.

Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:

 

There is some serious firepower out of the lineup right now for Pittsburgh. No Sidney Crosby (mid-body), no Nick Bjugstad (muscle surgery), same for Patric Hornqvist (LBI), and Brian Dumoulin (lacerated ankle tendons, yeowch!). If you know the names replacing them, you’re a better man than I.

Matt Murray is the starter tonight after Tristan Jarry played last night in Edmonton. We should be so lucky!

Penguins lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:

 

GAME NOTES AND A STAT OR TWO

• Brock Boeser is still riding the slump. He wasn’t able to score against Vegas but if he can hold out hope against ONE goalie, it’s Matt Murray. Boeser has a stunning 6G / 2A with five goals being at 5v5 against Pittsburgh since entering the league. This could be a game Brock had marked on his calendar.
• Elias Pettersson has goals in three of his last five games, he’s tallied four total. Elias hasn’t shared the puck a ton lately with only one assist to speak of this month. December has been rough for many of us, Elias. Christmas is right around the corner so a few gifts to his teammates during the game would be just swell.
• Quinn Hughes feasted on the Penguins the last time he faced them and bundled three assists together. Quinn hasn’t seen the back of the net since November and assists for him are getting old. Now, Hughes isn’t that old but he’s maybe TOO helpful and it’s time he grew up and was a bit selfish and scored some of the goals himself. Complaining about Quinn Hughes. This is peak Canucks fandom.
• The lacrosse goal has been popular this week and it wouldn’t be complete if Elias Pettersson didn’t try it. He’s attempted it once this season but the puck didn’t settle. Hockey Night in Canada is ultimate showcase and if Pettersson does succeed, it’s safe to say he’ll make it look the coolest.
• The new NHL doesn’t afford cross-conference rivalries like the old days so it’s going to take a while for a few Canucks, namely J.T. Miller and Adam Gaudette, to climb to the top of the leaderboard for goals versus the Penguins. Both players currently have two goals for the Canucks against the Penguins, which is only 15 goals behind all-time great Don Lever with 17. If Gaudette is a lifer, he might pass Lever in 2031.

#CANUCKSTWITTER

Well, is it?

Is it Brogan Rafferty time in the show yet??? 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥@Canucks @UticaComets

— Jeremy (@Johnny_Canuck_) December 21, 2019

Five of the AHL’s top 20 point producers are currently playing their trade with the @UticaComets.

Boucher – 1
Goldobin – 8
Rafferty – 9
Lind – 18
Baertschi – 20

— Comets Cory (@CoryHergott) December 21, 2019

MY 94 CENTS

See? We were positive and positive things happened. They almost blew it but they still won. The Canucks can string together what is known in the sports world as a “streak” if they win again tonight. I can’t believe how amazing Elias Pettersson is but he continues to be a star. He hasn’t taken the Canucks out of the basement quite yet but he’s trying.

Bo Horvat needs to get in a fight. I think Bo needs to fight someone, don’t care who. I’m imagining there is a ton of pent up anger just stewing inside of him because the team isn’t where he believes it deserves to be. That isn’t Bo’s game so that’s why I think it needs to happen.

He also needs to score a goal at home, he’s due.

AND ANOTHER THING…

Pettersson is a gamer

#Canucks Pettersson sticking up for JT Miller pic.twitter.com/RAelMiMWz1

— Matt (@dooley_matt_) December 20, 2019