Canucks Army Game Day 34 – Canucks Vs. Flyers (No Gritty Edtion)
By Always90four
5 years agoTHE INTRO
Guaranteed win night isn’t something that should be uttered with this current Canucks team but hey, the Flyers are garbage and they just got pummelled by the Oilers last night. There was a prediction made on a local sports prediction segment yesterday that Elias Pettersson would parlay both games this weekend into eight points scored.
Not saying, just saying.
Tonight’s HNIC game is back at Rogers Arena and the Canucks are somewhat in the middle of getting those bounces back. The Flyers are on the brink of potentially firing yet another coach and Vancouver is sitting in the right place at the right time.
Let’s Do This!™
TV / RADIO / PUCK DROP
CBC / SN 650 / 7:00 PM
LINEUPS
Erik Gudbranson is day-to-day with back spasms, he’s a wait and see. No Sven Baertschi still. Adam Gaudette could also be a game-time decision as he’s been ill as of late. Brandon Sutter as we know might be available after Christmas. Tim Schaller might be on the bubble to be healthy scratched. Check for updates on the CA Twitter.
Jacob Markstrom gets the start tonight. One way or another there will be a test this weekend but then again, Anders Nilsson might get the “easy” one.
Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 NIKOLAY GOLDOBIN Rating: 70.4#92 LW |  BO HORVAT Rating: 76.1#40 C |  JAKE VIRTANEN Rating: 71.7#74 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 72.73#30 FL1 |
 JOSH LEIVO Rating: 73.7#48 LW |  ELIAS PETTERSSON Rating: 78.4#31 C |  BROCK BOESER Rating: 82.1#2 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 78.06#3 FL2 |
 ANTOINE ROUSSEL Rating: 71.4#90 LW |  MARKUS GRANLUND Rating: 70.1#160 C |  LOUI ERIKSSON Rating: 71.3#93 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 70.95#24 FL3 |
 TIM SCHALLER Rating: 70.4#110 LW |  JAY BEAGLE Rating: 67.4#190 C |  TYLER MOTTE Rating: 69.9#99 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 69.23#27 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER Rating: 74.4#34 LD |  CHRIS TANEV Rating: 70.9#76 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 72.68#24 DL1 |
 BEN HUTTON Rating: 71.1#100 LD |  ERIK GUDBRANSON Rating: 69.3#93 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 70.19#29 DL2 |
 DERRICK POULIOT Rating: 70.3#117 LD |  TROY STECHER Rating: 71.7#56 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 71.01#24 DL3 |
The only noted injury is Brian Elliott. However, the Philadelphia was taken to the shed against the Oilers so expect a few changes or at the very least one, for tonight’s game.
Michal Neuvirth should see the start after the Oilers owned Stolarz last night.
Flyers lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK Rating: 76.7#20 LW |  CLAUDE GIROUX Rating: 84.5#3 C |  TRAVIS KONECNY Rating: 76.6#25 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 79.27#10 FL1 |
 WAYNE SIMMONDS Rating: 73.1#57 LW |  SEAN COUTURIER Rating: 81.6#11 C |  JAKUB VORACEK Rating: 76.6#24 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 77.12#6 FL2 |
 OSKAR LINDBLOM Rating: 71.5#85 LW |  NOLAN PATRICK Rating: 71.1#136 C |  PHIL VARONE Rating: 72.5#63 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 71.73#17 FL3 |
 MICHAEL RAFFL Rating: 70.9#102 LW |  SCOTT LAUGHTON Rating: 71.4#128 C |  DALE WEISE Rating: 70.3#93 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 70.89#8 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 IVAN PROVOROV Rating: 74.6#31 LD |  SHAYNE GOSTISBEHERE Rating: 77.3#11 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 75.95#13 DL1 |
 ROBERT HAGG Rating: 70.1#122 LD |  ANDREW MACDONALD Rating: 71.8#81 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 70.95#26 DL2 |
 TRAVIS SANHEIM Rating: 72.2#74 LD |  RADKO GUDAS Rating: 71.6#60 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 71.87#15 DL3 |
YOUR INFORMATIONAL NEEDS FOR TONIGHT’S GAME
- Despite the Flyers being tied for dead last in the East and a few points back of 32nd overall, Claude Giroux (38 pts) is just shy of 10th in the league in scoring. He’s been a constant for Philadelphia and if there is a bright light shining for the Flyers this evening, Giroux will be that guy.
- Both Vancouver and Philadelphia are in need of some luck. The Canucks need to utilize their power play which isn’t the first time you’ve heard that here; it’s frustratingly predictable and it needs a shakeup. It will eventually rebound but for now, it needs new blood. Keep Pettersson as the main shot but get Jake Virtanen involved and move Brock Boeser to the second unit with Nikolay Goldobin.
- Hockey Night in Canada doesn’t showcase games to have people change the channel. Travis Green needs to ignite some excitement into his roster and keep his guys from pushing until the 2nd period. Vancouver has 39 goals in the second frame this season which is their best period of the game. They have been clutch lately but they need to add a few goals before the first intermission.
- Tempting fate isn’t a great idea but the Canucks have had success down a man this season. They’ve scored six shorthanded markers so far, one back of second overall and five back of the Coyotes with 11 (seriously?). This isn’t a safe game plan but when they go down, all isn’t lost. Sadly, the PK is more reliable than their power play.
- Continuing with the theme, the Flyers are most likely to give up the first goal in this game (35 GA in 1st period) but the Canucks lead the league in GA in the 3rd period with a bit of a buffer (46 GA).
- Elias Pettersson stat line this evening: 2G / 2A. Just imagine that Nolan Patrick fell to the Canucks. I can’t.
MY 94 CENTS
The Canucks have proved they are for real. No, they aren’t Cup contenders or playoff hopefuls but they have that spark that has been missing for a few seasons and the puck luck is in their favour for the most part right now. The Flyers have some talent that can carry them through 60 minutes but a hard fought game for the Canucks this evening should amount to a W.
Also, Tyler Motte is on the brink of hero mode.
THE FINAL WORD
The kids are alright?
Recent articles from Always90four
