THE INTRO

Today, the Canucks will take on the visiting Anaheim Ducks and they’ll be looking for their second-straight win. The win after the Sedin ceremony was massive but they held the fort despite giving up 49 shots. If you continue to read the CA game-day report you’ll know that the power play is discussed heavily. This continues to be a serious issue for the Canucks and if you are on #TeamPlayoffs or potentially #TeamCupRun then you know the PP needs to figure their issues out immediately.

Scoring goals has also been a bit of an issue lately but expect the Canucks to remedy that today. It would be nice to see Ryan Miller in the net today but we’ll have to wait until warmups.

Let’s Do This!™

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

The odds for today’s game are: (VAN -160/ ANA +140) courtesy of OddsShark.com

TV / RADIO / PUCK DROP

SNP / SN 650 / 2:00 PM

LINEUPS

 

So, Tyler Motte was in full-contact jersey yesterday and could be close to a return per Brendan Batchelor. He won’t play today. Brock Boeser is likely still out as well, Josh Leivo… out, Tyler Graovac… still out, Oscar Fantenberg continues to be a non-lineup decision as well.

As for Micheal Ferland, he suffered a setback in Utica suffering from concussion-like symptoms. This is too serious and the Canucks and Ferland need to evaluate what the next step is. Manny Malhotra was told he was done after his eye injury because the Canucks didn’t want him to get hurt.

This is one of those times.

The power play remains unchanged and Brandon Sutter is a PP1 participant.

Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:

GOALIES
JACOB MARKSTROM Rating: 71.6#10 G1

 

Ryan Kesler is still sidelined with yet another devastating injury, this time potential career-ending hip surgery. He has more reason to cheer for the Canucks today than he does Anaheim.

Both Erik Gudbranson and Ondrej Kase are day-to-day.

Ducks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:

GOALIES
JOHN GIBSON Rating: 68.9#24 G1

 

GAME NOTES AND A STAT OR TWO

• Quinn Hughes remains at the top of the rookie leader board with 44 points. He’s been every bit as important as Jacob Markstrom and Elias Pettersson. Hughes has become a “core 4” member in less time than it took for Brock Boeser to get on the power play. This may be the leading story for awhile.
• The Canucks have a 19-6-3 home record this season while the Ducks have stretched themselves on the road going 11-16-4. Rogers Arena has been a tougher place to play this season and if they can harness their talent and take the lead early, they should be able to beat the Ducks today. No guarantees.
• Slightly worrisome stat – Jay Beagle, Tyler Motte, and Tim Schaller are three of four of the worst centers in CF% in the NHL. Beagle’s 36.55 is an NHL worst. Both Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller are both in the 54’s. Imagine having such a complete polar-opposite setup as the game progresses. Maybe need to fix that, Jim.
• Slightly worrisome stat #2 – the Vancouver Canucks have a pretty nice spot in the West right now, 69 points. Dissecting their power ranking via Moneypuck.com is a test in anger management. Vancouver’s expected goal % at EV is 45.59%, third-worst in the NHL. If we’re all worried about the power play (as I am), their expected even-strength goal percentage isn’t exactly positive. When they are getting shots off, their unblocked shot-attempts for % is also third-worst in the league with 46.5%. Maybe shoot the puck a bit more and save the drop pass for a rainy day (wait it rains all the time).
• Vancouver finished with 81 points last season which could be matched quite soon. A win today could put the Canucks in a position to jump their previous season’s total against… the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb 29. That’s also a pretty massive win streak if it gets that far.

#CANUCKSTWITTER

Really looking forward to potentially seeing Jack Rathbone with the #Canucks next season. He will be a great compliment to Hughes on the blueline

— Matthew Zator (@MatthewZatorSC) February 16, 2020

Tyler Motte wore a full contact jersey today and did admit that he’s pretty close to returning, but Travis Green ruled him out of tomorrow’s game vs. Anaheim. #Canucks

— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) February 15, 2020

MY 94 CENTS

Today there will not be a ceremony to honour anyone although, Ryan Kesler will probably be in the house. Vancouver needs to keep the shots surrendered down because it’s getting out of hand and that will eventually burn them over and over.

Anaheim is going to be playing for a lottery pick but they won’t just give up. The Canucks have always had problems with the Ducks including the last time they played each other with Anaheim taking it in OT.

Jacob Markstrom has been as dominant a goalie as there has been in the NHL but it needs to not be about him today. Let’s see some scoring.

AND ANOTHER THING…

This is trash! I’m not even invited? Guess I should start the NAT bracket challenge

Man I hope this works. I have @CanuckClay taking it home. #CTMM pic.twitter.com/oMgrIW1QpB

— Judd Brackett is underrated (@JuddBrackett_1) February 16, 2020