CANUCKS ARMY GDT 78 – CANUCKS VS. OILERS (Tank Bowl Qualifier)
By Always90four
6 years agoNot to be overshadowed, but for one night the “tank” may be on the backburner, or at least until the Canucks give up the first goal. Tonight, NCAA phenom and newly signed Canuck, Adam Gaudette, makes his NHL debut and the memories of Brock Boeser’s debut have created an unrealistic expectation of this guy.
The Oilers are in town with their flock of first-round picks so don’t get bummed out when they score a few goals off the jump. Columbus showed everyone that it’s ok to be down three goals early, anyone can score on the Oilers still and the Canucks might get a few chances of their own to prove that point.
WATCH / LISTEN / FACE-OFF
TV: SN1 / RADIO: SN650 / PUCK DROP: 7:00 PM
LINE COMBINATIONS
Chris Tanev is out for the year, Brendan Gaunce might return and Adam Gaudette will debut. Nic Dowd might get the hook for this evening as would Tyler Motte/Darren Archibald.
Again, Jacob Markstrom should be the only goalie that plays for the Canucks for the rest of the season. What will anyone actually learn from Thatcher Demko playing a few measly games? Utica needs their man.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 NIKOLAY GOLDOBIN Rating: 68.7#106 LW |  BO HORVAT Rating: 74.2#67 C |  JAKE VIRTANEN Rating: 70.6#79 RW |
 DANIEL SEDIN Rating: 72.6#61 LW |  HENRIK SEDIN Rating: 70.7#164 C |  SAM GAGNER Rating: 71.5#138 RW |
 DARREN ARCHIBALD Rating: 70.5#104 LW |  BRANDON SUTTER Rating: 70.9#157 C |  TYLER MOTTE Rating: 68.1#219 RW |
 REID BOUCHER Rating: 72.0#119 LW |  NIC DOWD Rating: 70.5#170 C |  JUSSI JOKINEN Rating: 71.6#81 RW |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER Rating: 73.3#83 LD |  TROY STECHER Rating: 71.5#171 RD |
 MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO Rating: 72.2#127 LD |  DERRICK POULIOT Rating: 70.6#208 RD |
 ASHTON SAUTNER Rating: 72.1#136 LD |  ALEX BIEGA Rating: 68.4#252 RD |
This team is in disarray. Look at all that talent, how are they not in the playoffs?
Cam Talbot should start.
Edmonton Oilers lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS Rating: 74.3#66 LW |  CONNOR MCDAVID Rating: 90.0#1 C |  TY RATTIE Rating: 73.3#43 RW |
 DRAKE CAGGIULA Rating: 70.5#169 LW |  LEON DRAISAITL Rating: 79.1#20 C |  PONTUS ABERG Rating: 71.9#74 RW |
 MILAN LUCIC Rating: 71.1#90 LW |  RYAN STROME Rating: 72.0#116 C |  JESSE PULJUJARVI Rating: 71.6#61 RW |
 ANTON SLEPYSHEV Rating: 68.7#126 LW |  JUJHAR KHAIRA Rating: 69.8#114 C |  ZACK KASSIAN Rating: 69.0#102 RW |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 DARNELL NURSE Rating: 71.9#146 LD |  ADAM LARSSON Rating: 72.8#104 RD |
 KRIS RUSSELL Rating: 71.6#164 LD |  ETHAN BEAR Rating: 71.7#158 RD |
 YOHANN AUVITU Rating: 71.6#161 LD |  MATT BENNING Rating: 73.0#96 RD |
CANUCKS KEYS TO VICTORY
- Just like last game, not allowing a goal in the opening five minutes is kind of a big deal. Check out Tuesday’s GDT for all the reasons why going down early in a game doesn’t help your chances of winning. The Canucks actually did all the lifting against the Ducks but the Oilers will be sour after getting whooped against the Blue Jackets. Score first and score often.
- Give the puck to Alex Edler. Edler is on the verge of his fifth-best season ever in the NHL for points and he won’t even have played a full season. He’s currently scoring at a 0.46 P/GP this season and a few more points could bump his year to his fourth-best ever production rate. On the physical side of the game, Alex is averaging 2.2 Hits/GM which is by far his best season ever. Who knew?
- Let Jacob Markstrom see the puck. Markstrom has been playing rather well lately and when he’s not screened, he’s not giving up awful goals. The Canucks are guilty of multiple screened goals this season and any good goalie will tell you “let them make the save”.
OILERS KEYS TO VICTORY
- Give Connor McDavid the puck. Seem obvious. It is. He leads the league in points but has only one point against the Canucks this season. He’s on a tear so let him run wild.
- Much like the Canucks, Edmonton’s goaltending is quite porous. Edmonton has only allowed four more goals than the Canucks but that’s good for third in the NHL for most goals allowed. Just make a few big saves because it could be a marathon of goals. Easier said than done.
- Stay out of the box. The Canucks boast the 10th best PP (21.6%) while the Oilers are T-3 for worst PK in the NHL (75.5%). Oh, and Sam Gagner has played well lately so maybe watch out for him.
A MODERATE TWITTER TAKE
One of many comments like this but it’s true. Why do the Canucks all of sudden do well at the absolute wrong time of the year?
3 THINGS YOU’LL KNOW AFTER THIS GAME
- Connor McDavid is the greatest player to ever put on skates if you cheer for Edmonton, cover Edmonton, or have a cousin that lived there for six months.
- The “tank” is still very much possible with a Canucks loss. Cheer for the small things. Like one person on Twitter once said: “Rome wasn’t suspended for a day”.
- Adam Gaudette is not going to be Ryan Kesler Lite, mini Bo Horvat, or Nikita Tryamkin. Stop comparing.
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