CANUCKS ARMY GDT# 65 – CANUCKS @ DUCKS
By Always90four
7 years ago
Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin – USA TODAY Sports
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The California road trip concludes this evening when the Canucks head down the highway to visit the Anaheim Ducks. Vancouver is coming off a win which should have been a lot more convincing than it was and the Ducks have been sitting idle for a day after they crushed the Maple Leafs Friday night.
Anaheim is hanging around the playoff picture and burying the Canucks keeps things safe in the race to the top 8. The Canucks DO have Nikolay Goldobin now, so that could change some things.
LINE COMBOS
Loui Eriksson hit the jackpot and tallied a multi-point night against the Kings which means he’s safe in the Top-6 (like it matters). Goldobin gets the Brandon Sutter/Jayson Megna combo and from the early looks of things, it’s alright.
Richard Bachman just may get the start today. Willie Desjardins is an absolute enigma so I don’t even know here anymore.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Daniel Sedin |  Henrik Sedin |  Markus Granlund |
 Sven Baertschi |  Bo Horvat |  Loui Eriksson |
 Nikolay Goldobin |  Brandon Sutter |  Jayson Megna |
 Brendan Gaunce |  Michael Chaput |  Joseph Cramarossa |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Alexander Edler |  Troy Stecher |
 Luca Sbisa |  Chris Tanev |
 Ben Hutton |  Philip Larsen |
Ryan Kesler is the Ducks #1 pivot according to DFO which means either Ryan Getzlaf is banged up or his talent just isn’t that good anymore. The Ducks will not have Joseph Cramarossa as he is now a Canuck and I’d just love to see him rub it in their faces.
Jonathan Bernier most likely will start again for the injured John Gibson.
Anaheim Ducks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Andrew Cogliano |  Ryan Kesler |  Jakob Silfverberg |
 Patrick Eaves |  Ryan Getzlaf |  Ondrej Kase |
 Nick Ritchie |  Rickard Rakell |  Corey Perry |
 Logan Shaw |  Nate Thompson |  Chris Wagner |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Cam Fowler |  Kevin Bieksa |
 Hampus Lindholm |  Josh Manson |
 Sami Vatanen |  Brandon Montour |
GAME NOTES, STATS, AND OTHER INTERESTING INFO
- Ice time has been a factor for the Canucks all year: some players get lots of it and it’s unwarranted and some get none and its a travesty. Eriksson and Goldobin would be the current argument but Willie has confused us for 3 seasons now. I’ve given up trying to figure out his riddle and it has to be close to the time that Linden and Benning do as well.
- We’re due for Ryan Miller to implode. He’s played too much. Please, someone, save him. You know the stats, you know the starts. I’m begging you, please give him rest.
- Henrik Sedin proved last night that passing is as good as scoring. His attempted pass which deflected off of Drew Doughty was the pinnacle of who Henrik is. A pass first mentality is eating away at this team and the young guns are proving why. We need to see what the next step is but the Sedins have to realize they need to say it, not the coaches.
- I don’t want to make this the Goldobin game thread but he was some kinda awesome, even if he only played enough to average more ice time than Anton Rodin this season. His speed gives me hope this team can still become great again. Even if only for a night.
- I have been told Who’s Your Daddy will not be performing the anthems tonight. You’re welcome!
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
People sure are mad right now. Like, a lot of people.
MY TAKE
We couldn’t possibly think last night’s performance could be repeated, right? If the deployment of forwards is any indication, the solution will come when it’s already too late. There are bright spots on this team but coaching is keeping them from shining. Somehow, the Canucks do win this.
WHY DOES WILLIE DESJARDINS USE PLAYERS SPARINGLY?
I had a great article planned for this week about how Willie is a great teacher and that his tactics in the AHL got him to the NHL level and with patience, he could really build this team. After seeing newbie Nikolay Goldobin’s ice time last night against the Kings, I scrapped that idea.
Honestly, why does he not trust anyone that didn’t play for Medicine Hat or is a bottom-six forward? It just doesn’t make sense. This guy is going to dig his own grave and he really didn’t have to. I wonder where the Canucks would be with Dan Bylsma?
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