CANUCKS ARMY GDT 60 – CANUCKS VS. AVALANCHE
By Always90four
6 years agoRiding high after a convincing win against the rival Bruins, the Vancouver Canucks get ready to take on the visiting Colorado Avalanche in a Western Conference clash. The inconsistently-consistent Canucks have been crushing the great teams and struggling against lesser competition. It’s anyone’s guess as to which Canucks team will show up tonight.
The trade deadline is only a week away and if Canucks general manager Jim Benning needs to solidify his case for any of the trade block players, tonight would sure help his cause. Tonight’s matchup won’t be as pretty as the Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir Ice Dance final a night ago but seeing a Brock Boeser goal would be a pretty close second.
Let’s Do This!™
WATCH / LISTEN / FACE-OFF
TV: SNET-P
RADIO: SN650
PUCK DROP: 7:00 PM
LINE COMBINATIONS
Not much new to talk about with the Canucks lines except for Sam Gagner taking turns with Loui Eriksson. Tough to switch him out after his big performance against Boston but then again, Sven Baertschi. Defensive pairings have stayed the same. Keep an eye out for the checking line of Nic Dowd / Nikolay Goldobin / Jake Virtanen. There is some potential there for a few fireworks.
Jacob Markstrom will be the likely starter but Travis Green is a tough read.
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 |
 NIKOLAY GOLDOBIN |  NIC DOWD |  JAKE VIRTANEN |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER |  ERIK GUDBRANSON |
 MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO |  TROY STECHER |
 ALEX BIEGA |  DERRICK POULIOT |
Defensively speaking, the Avalanche are in tough for the next bit. Erik Johnson and Anton Lindholm are both out indefinitely with injuries. Colorado has recalled David Warsofsky and Andrei Mironov from San Antonio as a result.
Semyon Varlamov will get the start against the Canucks.
Colorado Avalanche lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 GABRIEL LANDESKOG |  NATHAN MACKINNON |  MIKKO RANTANEN |
 MATTHEW NIETO |  CARL SODERBERG |  BLAKE COMEAU |
 ALEXANDER KERFOOT |  JT COMPHER |  COLIN WILSON |
 TYSON JOST |  DOMINIC TONINATO |  GABRIEL BOURQUE |
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- Going streaking – The Canucks currently are on a two-game win streak at home versus the Avalanche and even better, a four-game win streak since 2016. Take the good news where you can get it, the bottom may drop out sooner than later.
- #Winning – With one more GWG, Derrick Pouliot moves into T-4 for all defensemen in the league in that category. Not the player that would be expected to put the game on his stick but there have been many things that don’t make sense with the Canucks lately so don’t rule it out.
- Loui the Powerful – Currently not a threat on the man-advantage, Eriksson’s next PPG will be his 60th career tally. It might even get celebrated. That goal would also tie his season total from a year ago. Loui needs this one more than anything he’s needed as a Canuck.
- Despite being a healthy scratch two games ago, Sven Baertschi has five points in his last five games. Not sure if Green just wanted more goals from him or just to be more involved but the two times he’s been sat (Willie/Travis), he’s responded. Who’s next?
- One more chance? Believe it or not, the line of Henrik and Daniel Sedin along with Jake Virtanen has the highest CF% on the Canucks this season with 58.56. They haven’t had boat loads of time together but it does speak to the effectiveness of the Sedins to be ahead of the shot game. (Side note: the Sedins with Eriksson, Vanek, and Boeser are the next three leading combos)
THE TWITTER TAKE
Promise the Gudbranson updates will end soon but when would he ever get off a shot like that in a game?
MY 94 CENTS
I continue to be befuddled as to how the Canucks win and lose against the most unlikely opponents. It’s like a bizarro 2011 with a lot less winning but just as many tears. The Avalanche can give the Canucks fits so staying disciplined will be key. Getting even one power play would be nice as well. I’m feeling a win is on the way this evening for the whale.
OVER / UNDER
Henrik Sedin goals (+/- 0.5) At some point, this number will turn to one. Have to believe there is a goal in there somewhere but his helpers are keeping him in the mix. He does need to score though; maybe an empty net or something. Take the over.
Jake Virtanen bull rushes (+/- 1.5) Take the over. Plain and simple, Jake Virtanen is changing his game and the patience Travis Green has shown may finally be paying off.
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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