CANUCKS ARMY GDT 57 – CANUCKS VS. PANTHERS
By Always90four
6 years agoThe Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers have a date for Valentine’s Day at Rogers Arena. The last time these two teams met, Florida effortlessly beat the Canucks 3-1 for their fourth-straight win.
Tonight, the Canucks are looking to return the favour with a bit more of a spirited effort. There is rumour that former captain and megastar, Roberto Luongo, will make his triumphant return to the Panthers lineup and it’s fitting it would be against the Canucks, a team he has nothing but great memories about.
Let’s Do This!™
WATCH / LISTEN / FACE-OFF
TV: SNET-VAN / SNET
RADIO: SN650
PUCK DROP: 7:00 PM
LINE COMBINATIONS
Philip Holm has been recalled from Utica. This could mean many things but for now, he’s just a call-up. If Holm does play, expect a guy like Derrick Pouliot to be scratched. Chris Tanev is still out of the lineup; Markus Granlund requires surgery on his ankle and could be done for the year (yikes!). Brock Boeser had a heavily-taped wrist at practice yesterday but he’s pretty much invincible.
Sam Gagner and Brendan Gaunce are still injured as well.
Jacob Markstrom should start after an impressive shutout win against the Stars on Sunday.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 SVEN BAERTSCHI |  BO HORVAT |  BROCK BOESER |
 DANIEL SEDIN |  HENRIK SEDIN |  THOMAS VANEK |
 DARREN ARCHIBALD |  BRANDON SUTTER |  LOUI ERIKSSON |
 REID BOUCHER |  NIC DOWD |  JAKE VIRTANEN |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER |  ERIK GUDBRANSON |
 MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO |  TROY STECHER |
 BEN HUTTON |  DERRICK POULIOT |
Florida’s lines will stay intact for tonight’s game after a big win versus the Oilers on Monday.
Going all in on this one: Roberto Luongo will start tonight and dammit, he deserves it!
Florida Panthers lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 EVGENY DADONOV |  ALEKSANDER BARKOV |  NICK BJUGSTAD |
 JONATHAN HUBERDEAU |  VINCENT TROCHECK |  DENIS MALGIN |
 JAMIE MCGINN |  JARED MCCANN |  MAXIM MAMIN |
 MICHEAL HALEY |  DEREK MACKENZIE |  COLTON SCEVIOUR |
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- Choo-choo choose Bou-cher – Reid Boucher has been a breath of fresh air since being recalled. His two goals against the Stars on Sunday came at the right time. Secondary scoring will be crucial for the Canucks down the stretch as injuries are starting to ramp up again. Look for him to be utilized a lot more in these next few games.
- Brock and Roll – February hasn’t been a stunning month for rookie Brock Boeser but he has a pair of goals and a pair of assists to start the month. The next couple of opponents will really test his skills but tonight, he’ll get a red-hot Panthers team that could care less about his impressive season.
- Take away my heart – Brandon Sutter has been a thief in the month of February. His seven takeaways are good for first on the Canucks this month and T-18 in the NHL.
- No Good-branson – Since 2015, Erik Gudbranson has been a non-factor for both the Canucks and the Panthers head-to-head. He has played two games for each club and not registered a point on either team. He has two giveaways for the Canucks and none for the Panthers. If he went back to Florida, he would pretty much just be helping himself at this point. Time to end this charade.
- Happy Vanek-tines Day – Thomas Vanek leads all Canucks at home in P1/60 with 2.59. His trade value continues to climb and the Canucks could really benefit from his efforts at the deadline. Feels weird to imagine the Canucks selling and looking good. It’s a brave new world.
THE TWITTER TAKE
He’s not wrong. Mason Raymond is about to become a household name, like everyone is going to be shouting in their household “WHY DO YOU KEEP TRIPPING ON THE BLUELINE?”
MY 94 CENTS
Expect the unexpected with the Canucks tonight. Just when you have them figured out, they disappoint you. When you count them out, they mercy a powerhouse team. Nothing is what it seems. Brock Boeser scoring on Roberto Luongo would be a nice story if only to rub it in. If that happens, odds are it’s the first shot of the game.
A big game from Erik Gudbranson would also help his trade stock but the counter to that would be Jim Benning would see value in him and continue working on an extension.
Expect the unexpected.
OVER / UNDER
Reid Boucher goals (+/- 1) Take the under. Nobody on the Canucks is consistent enough to score twice per game on a regular basis… except Boeser.
Alex Edler blocked shots (+/- 3) Edler is averaging 2.8 blocks-per-game. Florida has some shooters and after they put up a touchdown on Edmonton, Edler will be getting in the way of a few blasts. Take the over.
The Pint is your home for all things game day. Come down for game day specials like $5 mugs of bud and bud light and get 20% off food if you’re a season ticket holders
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