CANUCKS ARMY GDT# 59 – CANUCKS VS. PREDATORS
By Always90four
8 years ago
BROADCAST INFO
TV: SNET-P
RADIO: TSN 1040
PUCK DROP: 7:08PM
LINE COMBOS
Brandon Sutter is back! I think we’re excited to see him – it’s been so long. He’ll be centering the top-line. Jake Virtanen is in with Derek Dorsett and Adam Cracknell. Jared McCann hasn’t disappointed but I guess if you’re rotating guys in and out, this is how it has to be. Zarly Zalapsk….errr Mike Zalewski has been sent back to Utica.
Dan Hamhuis is still nursing solids but isn’t coming back just yet. Kinda hope its sooner than later. Matt Bartkowski isn’t my idea of “moving ahead”.
Ryan Miller has had a few days to rest the body that has faced so many shots.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Daniel Sedin |  Jared McCann |  Jannik Hansen |
 Sven Baertschi |  Bo Horvat |  Radim Vrbata |
 Alexandre Burrows |  Linden Vey |  Emerson Etem |
 Derek Dorsett |  Mike Zalewski |  Jake Virtanen |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Alexander Edler |  Chris Tanev |
 Ben Hutton |  Luca Sbisa |
 Matt Bartkowski |  Alex Biega |
Hey, it’s Ryan Johansen! He was supposed to be a Canuck, no? Consistent finisher James Neal will be on the same line as RyJo and they could prove to be a doozy of a line. Filip Forsberg has sprinkled the score sheet a few times in his last five, but being that it’s against the Canucks tonight, all logic goes out the window.
Shea Weber is back in town, but I doubt Jim Benning is starting any trade rumours.
Pekka Rinne should start.
Nashville Predators lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Kevin Fiala |  Ryan Johansen |  James Neal |
 Filip Forsberg |  Mike Ribeiro |  Craig Smith |
 Miikka Salomaki |  Mike Fisher |  Calle Jarnkrok |
 Eric Nystrom |  Paul Gaustad |  Cody Bass |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Roman Josi |  Shea Weber |
 Barret Jackman |  Ryan Ellis |
 Mattias Ekholm |  Petter Granberg |
REASONS TO WATCH THIS GAME
- Sutter is back! They’re getting healthy and maybe we can form an opinion that this team might be good? I’m Ron Burrrrgundy?
- Kinda doubt Jannik Hansen gets another hat-trick tonight, but he has been a welcome sight to a team that probably was thinking he might be on the outs early on. Not sure where Hansen finishes, but even without Henrik on that top line, he’s still getting it done. Hansen has been streaky but he would now be in the midst of his next one so we may see more.
- Ryan Miller and Jacob Markstrom have given us a tonne of reasons to tune in lately and if the Canucks get any better on defense – like at all – they might actually have a chance to climb the ladder a bit. That also means no Auston Matthews. Hopefully, you’re cool with that.
- Vancouver had a pretty decent road trip going 3-2-1 and that was without Henrik, but had guys like Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi tearing it up. Man, I can’t WAIT FOR PLAYOFFS!!!!!
- …………………Maybe I’ll just stop here.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
In case you’re wondering, Shea Weber breaks people’s cups. Think about that, a proven protective device that keeps your “stuff” intact is easily broken by a Weber’s shot. Probably won’t see too many blocked shots tonight. Corsi numbers might get screwed up a bit.
MY TAKE
This whole anti-tank thing has frustrated me a bit because it sure looked like things were going in that direction. As Nashville is in town I’m really iffy as to what is going to take place tonight. The Canucks have been far from perfect but came out all guns a blazing against the Penguins. Sure they blew it, but they are starting to show some #MUST.
Canucks win it, Virtanen is the star and I feel good for being right for 10 minutes.
WHAT’D I MISS?
Fun fact: The 2016 NHL All Star Game is being hosted in Nashville this year. John Scott is a captain for team Pacific and there are many people talking about it. It won’t be the last time there’s a disappointment in Nashville.
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