CANUCKS ARMY GDT 2 – CANUCKS VS. SENATORS
By Always90four
6 years agoThe Canucks welcome the Senators to town as well as an old friend in Alex Burrows. Vancouver is undefeated to start the campaign, much like last season started, but the difference this year, thus far, is that they’ve already had a lead and kept it. As we all know, Ottawa is the least interesting city in Canada, and even though there are two points on the line, most fans are indifferent about this matchup, as they were during the 2007 Stanley Cup Final.
WATCH / LISTEN / FACE-OFF
TV: SNET-VAN (Check them all though, they’re sneaky!)
RADIO: SN650
PUCK DROP: 7:00 PM
LINE COMBINATIONS
The lines haven’t changed since Saturday as far as practice went but maybe Travis Green will give Canucks fans their due and dress Brock Boeser for this one. These aren’t the prettiest four lines, but for whatever reason, they were effective against the Oilers. It’s a lot to ask for this setup to work again, but weirder things have happened.
Jacob Markstrom was lights out aside from the first shot of the game last time, so he will most likely start.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LEFT WING | CENTER | RIGHT WING |
|---|---|---|
 DANIEL SEDIN |  HENRIK SEDIN |  THOMAS VANEK |
 SVEN BAERTSCHI |  BO HORVAT |  LOUI ERIKSSON |
 MARKUS GRANLUND |  BRANDON SUTTER |  DEREK DORSETT |
 SAM GAGNER |  ALEX BURMISTROV |  JAKE VIRTANEN |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER |  CHRIS TANEV |
 MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO |  ERIK GUDBRANSON |
 BEN HUTTON |  TROY STECHER |
Erik Karlsson is still out, and it also looks like Johnny Oduya will not suit up. Burrows, as noted above, will make his first appearance in Vancouver as a Senator and unlike Ryan Kesler, he will be cheered. It will be a good time. Ottawa has recalled Thomas Chabot and Christian Jaros from the AHL.
Craig Anderson will start in net.
Ottawa Senators lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LEFT WING | CENTER | RIGHT WING |
|---|---|---|
 ZACK SMITH |  KYLE TURRIS |  RYAN DZINGEL |
 BOBBY RYAN |  DERICK BRASSARD |  MARK STONE |
 TOM PYATT |  JEAN-GABRIEL PAGEAU |  MIKE HOFFMAN |
 ALEX FORMENTON |  NATE THOMPSON |  ALEXANDRE BURROWS |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 DION PHANEUF |  CHRIS WIDEMAN |
 MARK BOROWIECKI |  THOMAS CHABOT |
 FREDRIK CLAESSON |  CODY CECI |
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- It happened – the Sedins played 4th line minutes. Only Thomas Vanek, Troy Stecher and Jake Virtanen had fewer minutes than Henrik while Daniel finished just ahead of Sam Gagner before joining the names above. A far cry from status quo of the past three or so seasons, the Sedins may officially be role players instead of star players. Stunning. Watch for this to continue. The jersey number banners are being stitched as we speak.
- The return of arguably one of the greatest Canuck players ever: Alex Burrows. Probably the most clutch and loveable player in Canucks history, Burrows is definitely missed, but his selfless act of accepting a trade proved what type of guy he is. He’ll be vocal on the ice, and a few cheers will be given, and it wouldn’t be the worst thing if he potted a goal. Welcome back, Burr!
- Erik Gudbranson was not very good against Edmonton, and the torches were already out after he was walked on for a goal. No one will know except the coaches how long a leash Gudbranson will get but personally, if I had the choice, Jordan Subban is less of a liability and I’m not even that big a fan of his. Getting walked a few more times might actually wake up management and the coaches and get a proper defenseman in the lineup. It’s early, but glaring errors stick out.
- Bo Horvat is a special player. He helped bring Sven Baertschi to relevance and hopefully, he can do the same for Loui Eriksson. Eriksson had one assist last game and his last goal came on February 9 of last season. If someone needed to bump a massive slump, this is the guy. Work your magic, Bo!
- Total shot in the dark on this one but look out for a Chris Tanev slapper tonight. He’s super sneaky like that, and no one would see it coming. It really isn’t all that exciting of a shot, but for a guy that is least likely to score, we’d all enjoy it.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
MY TAKE
For the first time in many, many days/months I am excited about another Canucks game. Saturday was entertaining to watch, and I can actually anticipate another win and not a new way on how to lose. Karlsson is out so there is a good chance the Canucks can expose Ottawa’s defence. I’ll get back to you on which players are capable of doing that. Canucks win in OT.
OVER/UNDER
Alex Burrows ISO Cam shots on the bench (+/- 8) Take the push. People like a good story but even something like that will get old quick.
Brock Boeser opening night snub mentions (+/- 2) Go with the over by maybe one point. It’s a big story, but maybe three is too much, I dunno.
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