CANUCKS ARMY GDT# 4 – CANUCKS @ KINGS
By Always90four
8 years agoSo I’d say we faired pretty well against the Ducks last night, no? It’s early, but there were some impressive things to take from it: Miller looks great, Cracknell surprisingly good as well and Brandon Sutter is not too shabby with the Twins. Ya, I know.
But that was yesterday and this is today. Quick turn around and up the I-5 to Los Angeles to face our new arch nemesis circa 2012, the Kings. Both the Sharks and Coyotes have crushed LA to start the year and believe it or not, the Canucks are playing some decent puck. This is the Canucks first look at their 2016 free agent Milan Lucic. I have a feeling it’s gonna be a rough year for him, boo hoo!
BROADCAST INFO
TV: SPORTSNET VAN HOCKEY
RADIO: TSN 1040
PUCK DROP: 7:30 PM (Ya I fixed it)
LINEUPS
First off, Ryan Miller is playing some great hockey right now. Its 3 games in sure, but he is finding a groove it seems. Baertschi’s ice time dropped as the game went on last night and with Jake Virtanen yet to play a game, an intense physical Kings team would be a great fit to play your first game.
Vancouver Canucks Lines courtesy of Daily Faceoff
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Daniel Sedin |  Henrik Sedin |  Brandon Sutter |
 Sven Baertschi |  Bo Horvat |  Radim Vrbata |
 Alexandre Burrows |  Jared McCann |  Jake Virtanen |
 Brandon Prust |  Adam Cracknell |  Jannik Hansen |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Dan Hamhuis |  Chris Tanev |
 Alexander Edler |  Matt Bartkowski |
 Ben Hutton |  Luca Sbisa |
Los Angeles Kings Lines courtesy of Daily Faceoff
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Marian Gaborik |  Anze Kopitar |  Dustin Brown |
 Milan Lucic |  Jeff Carter |  Tyler Toffoli |
 Tanner Pearson |  Nick Shore |  Trevor Lewis |
 Kyle Clifford |  Andy Andreoff |  Jordan Nolan |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Jake Muzzin |  Drew Doughty |
 Jeff Schultz |  Christian Ehrhoff |
 Brayden McNabb |  Alec Martinez |
Jonathan Quick should get the start this evening and he’s always a hot start against the Canucks, minus 2009. Milan Lucic and Christian Ehrhoff will start while Jarret Stoll is arranging some deals. The Kings are not the same team they once were and if things fall off the rails early (sorry no more Stoll jokes) a guy like Lucic could come to Vancouver on the cheap. If I’m ANY of the Canucks, I’m watching out for Dustin Brown. He’s been out to hurt lately and we don’t need any more injuries.
REASONS TO WATCH THIS EPIC GAME
- It’s the first Kings/Canucks tilt of the year and it shouldn’t disappoint. The intensity level will be at least an 8 and I have a feeling Dorsett wouldn’t mind finding a dance partner. (He is not playing, Virtanen took his spot)
- Brandon Prust is tied for 3rd in team scoring, will he keep up his torrid pace or will we double check that stat to ensure its accuracy? Its true unfortunately but that will last about as long as a Pepsi in your car on a hot day: sadly not long.
- Pat Sajak is a season ticket holder and the cameras are always looking for the man who sells vowels. Hot commodity right now, If you love Wheel of Fortune this is pretty much your white unicorn.
- Ryan Miller is playing like an elite goaltender while the team in front of him shows flashes of brilliance and then well…they really hope Ryan Miller is still gonna bail them out. Early on he’s sporting a .948 and 1.60 GAA and he doesn’t look discouraged after already facing 97 shots for 2nd in the league. Let’s not bail on this guy just yet.
- Tonight is the night folks! Get your popcorn ready cuz Jake Virtanen is playing in the NHL. Normally, a rookie starting wouldn’t warrant a hard look but this game caters to Virtanen. Big hits will be on order for both teams so regardless of hitting the score sheet, he should make an impact.
- Vancouver has shown early on that 3 on 3 suits them just fine. Hopefully we don’t see many of these scenarios but the Canucks should see their wins increase in the extra frame. They won’t be breaking the scoreboard this season so if they hold on for 60 minutes, their chances of a W are pretty good.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
MY TAKE
The Canucks eked out a win last night, but they did it in the shootout. The Kings SHOULD bring a better game than the Ducks did but really who knows? Ryan Miller has been almost lights out so I’m tagging him with yet another victory, but he’ll be tested. No score prediction, probably for the best.
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