Canucks Army Game Day 68 – Canucks @ Oilers (Relevant Edition)
By Always90four
5 years agoTHE INTRO
Not ones to dwell on a win (mainly because there haven’t been many), the Canucks make the trip to Edmonton today to take on the Oilers, winners of three-straight. Vancouver and Edmonton match up fairly well but it’s the Canucks who will have to play spoiler if the actually believe in the playoffs as they’ve been declaring to media pre and post-game.
We’re still waiting for an offensive resurgence from Elias Pettersson but Alex Edler and his defensive corps might have that lined up after the way they’ve played lately. Time for another win.
Let’s Do This!™
TV / RADIO / PUCK DROP
SNP / SN 650 / 6:00 PM
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
The odds for tonight’s game are: (VAN +125 /EDM -150 ) courtesy of OddShark
LINEUPS
Guillaume Brisebois was called up from Utica and deserves another shot. Luke Schenn and Derrick Pouliot both looked like they could be beaten on multiple occasions so Travis Green needs to see his team needs change.
Thatcher Demko should start tonight after Jacob Markstrom stood on his head for just under 65 minutes.
Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 TANNER PEARSON Rating: 72.9#73 LW |  BO HORVAT Rating: 76.6#41 C |  NIKOLAY GOLDOBIN Rating: 70.5#101 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 73.34#28 FL1 |
 JOSH LEIVO Rating: 73.7#48 LW |  ELIAS PETTERSSON Rating: 78.5#27 C |  BROCK BOESER Rating: 81.3#6 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 77.85#4 FL2 |
 ANTOINE ROUSSEL Rating: 73.2#63 LW |  ADAM GAUDETTE Rating: 71.6#112 C |  MARKUS GRANLUND Rating: 71.5#116 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 72.11#19 FL3 |
 LOUI ERIKSSON Rating: 70.4#119 LW |  JAY BEAGLE Rating: 67.4#183 C |  TYLER MOTTE Rating: 69.1#123 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 68.99#30 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER Rating: 75.5#24 LD |  ALEX BIEGA Rating: 72.7#55 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 74.09#18 DL1 |
 DERRICK POULIOT Rating: 71.2#97 LD |  TROY STECHER Rating: 73.1#48 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 72.15#25 DL2 |
 ASHTON SAUTNER Rating: 73.3#54 LD |  LUKE SCHENN Rating: 68.7#96 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 71.00#25 DL3 |
Jesse Puljujarvi had season-ending hip surgery and will not play this evening. I mean, he might, but those things usually take some time. Jujhar Khaira (LBI) is still on IR and will not play tonight.
Sam Gagner will face his former team for the first time since being reacquired by the Oilers. Expect a massive standing ovation much like the one John Tavares received in Toronto.
Mikko Koskinen is your assumed starter.
Oilers lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 LEON DRAISAITL Rating: 81.9#12 LW |  CONNOR MCDAVID Rating: 89.5#1 C |  ZACK KASSIAN Rating: 70.2#110 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 80.50#8 FL1 |
 MILAN LUCIC Rating: 69.7#127 LW |  RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS Rating: 74.4#58 C |  ALEX CHIASSON Rating: 70.2#108 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 71.46#30 FL2 |
 TOBIAS RIEDER Rating: 69.5#132 LW |  COLBY CAVE Rating: 71.5#117 C |  JOSH CURRIE | FL3 Rating Rating: 70.50#30 FL3 |
 SAM GAGNER Rating: 71.7#108 LW |  KYLE BRODZIAK Rating: 69.1#175 C |  TY RATTIE Rating: 68.2#129 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 69.67#27 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 OSCAR KLEFBOM Rating: 75.7#23 LD |  ADAM LARSSON Rating: 70.9#83 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 73.31#25 DL1 |
 DARNELL NURSE Rating: 73.3#55 LD |  KRIS RUSSELL Rating: 71.6#88 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 72.47#23 DL2 |
 MATT BENNING Rating: 72.4#74 LD |  ANDREJ SEKERA Rating: 73.1#60 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 72.74#10 DL3 |
YOUR INFORMATIONAL NEEDS FOR TONIGHT’S GAME
- Alex Edler has a goal and an assist against the Oilers this season through three games. That goal came on the PP. Since his return, he looks fabulous but he’ll have to continue to shine with two of the six defenders on the Canucks requiring constant monitoring. His OT winner last night is a step in the right direction.
- Loui Eriksson has already eclipsed his games played record with the Canucks, suiting up for 66 games thus far. He’s also one goal back from equalling his best season in Vancouver, 2016/17, when he tallied a whopping 11 goals. Eriksson has been pretty sound defensively on the PK and has been utilized as a checker, which is great for now, but unless he ponies up a few more goals soon, his time in Vancouver may be running out… you know, if someone wants to take that albatross of a contract.
- Jacob Markstrom once again was a pillar of strength for the Canucks one night ago and he’s faired well against the Oilers this season. Markstrom’s 2-0-1 record bodes well going into tonight’s game as does his .929 Sv% and 1.95 GAA. The Oilers haven’t been able to rattle Markstrom so far which might just give the Canucks the edge.
- Adam Gaudette is looking more and more like a guy who will take over for Brandon Sutter going into next season. He’s fast, he’s creative and utilizes his wingers (Ryan Kesler eat your heart out). Gaudette has five points in his last eight games and they’ve been memorable. Things are looking up for yet another NCAA signing on the Canucks.
- He can’t always be scoring goals or unleashing dirty dangles but in his off time, Elias Pettersson is one of the top players in the league for drawing penalties. He’s drawn 26 penalties this season good for a share of 10th overall and his penalties drawn/60 is just outside of the top-10 with a solid 1.54. Get that kid a Magna Doodle.
MY 94 CENTS
Another 6:00 pm start? I guess it doesn’t give the Canucks too much time to think after their win one night ago against the Leafs. The Canucks power play is still as disgusting as Brussel sprouts, stuffing, or biting into moldy cheese without looking first. Watching it feels like punishment for every time I disappointed my parents or wearing a really baggy shirt (it just looks stupid).
Thankfully, Vancouver scored a few goals last night so it’s possible they can still accomplish that. Jacob Markstrom has been proving all his critics wrong and may surpass Elias Pettersson as the team MVP this season.
Do I think the Canucks can beat the Oilers? Sure. Do I think they can outscore their problems as well? Sure. Is Derrick Pouliot and/or Luke Schenn a bad idea on defense.
Yes, yes it is.
THE TWITTER TAKE
Does anyone remember ANY of Eriksson’s goals?
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