CANUCKSARMY GDT 19 – CANUCKS VS. GOLDEN KNIGHTS
By Always90four
6 years agoFor the first time ever (exhibition games notwithstanding), the Vegas Golden Knights make their way to Rogers Arena to take on the Vancouver Canucks.
Vancouver is coming off an impressive comeback win against the Kings while the Golden Knights are still licking their wounds after getting pasted by the Oilers 8-2. Some interesting storylines are going into this one not the least of which is the Golden Knights’ goalie situation. Every WHL team has their goalies on standby in case there is a need for another call-up.
Vancouver’s power play has finally (we think) found an answer on the top unit and tonight will be game number two to see if the success carries over.
Let’s do this!
WATCH / LISTEN / FACE-OFF
TV: SNET-P
RADIO: SN650
PUCK DROP: 7:00 PM
LINE COMBINATIONS
Realistically, the only change could be Jake Virtanen getting back into the lineup. Brendan Gaunce would probably be the switch. A winning lineup usually doesn’t get changed, but this could be a game for Jake to make his mark.
Jacob Markstrom should factor back into the net for the Canucks tonight. Anders Nilsson has played great and could be the surprise start, but Markstrom would be the likely play.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 SVEN BAERTSCHI |  BO HORVAT |  BROCK BOESER |
 DANIEL SEDIN |  HENRIK SEDIN |  LOUI ERIKSSON |
 BRENDAN GAUNCE |  BRANDON SUTTER |  DEREK DORSETT |
 THOMAS VANEK |  MARKUS GRANLUND |  SAM GAGNER |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER |  DERRICK POULIOT |
 MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO |  ALEX BIEGA |
 BEN HUTTON |  ERIK GUDBRANSON |
No Luca Sbisa tonight, folks. What most of us will get to see is the potential first-ever NHL start for the backup to the backup to the backup to the backup of Marc-Andre Fleury. Should be a special night for Dylan Ferguson regardless of how it plays out. There is still a chance Maxime Lagace will start.
Let’s go with Dylan Ferguson getting the nod. Go get em!
Vegas Golden Knights lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT |  WILLIAM KARLSSON |  REILLY SMITH |
 DAVID PERRON |  ERIK HAULA |  JAMES NEAL |
 OSCAR LINDBERG |  CODY EAKIN |  ALEX TUCH |
 WILL CARRIER |  PIERRE-ÉDOUARD BELLEMARE |  TOMAS NOSEK |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 NATE SCHMIDT |  JON MERRILL |
 BRAYDEN MCNABB |  DERYK ENGELLAND |
 COLIN MILLER |  BRAD HUNT |
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- Feel good story of the week – Dylan Ferguson getting the potential start for the Golden Knights. You’ve seen the tidbits about how he was the junior Canuck in 2010 and stood beside Roberto Luongo and his first game action back on Tuesday when he was introduced to Connor McDavid. However things shake down this evening, the Kelowna Rockets will be waiting when he gets back to light the lamp behind him #cityofrockets
- Brock Boeser unleashing his behemoth of a shot on the Golden Knights. Boeser is two points behind Clayton Keller for the rookie scoring lead, and as the Coyotes continue to crash and burn, Boeser gets better and better. Everyone thought the Penguins game was special; tonight Boeser goes on a heater and takes the house for five points.
- Jacob Markstrom is keeping the Canucks alive much like Ryan Miller did last season except Markstrom actually has a good team in front of him. Markstrom is currently sporting a .912 SA% and is in the top-15 for goalies with at least ten games played. He has said it doesn’t really matter about the GAA, and the deciding factor so far has been wins. If there is a goalie controversy again, it’s a great problem to have.
- Derek Pouliot is still impressing the Canucks, and he’s climbing the charts but not in the areas that you’d expect. Pouliot is T-6 in shot attempts with 51 when his team is behind at 5v5. Travis Green is leaning more on him, and Pouliot could end up being the surprise story of the year in Vancouver.
- Thomas Vanek is 4th in Canucks scoring with 10 points. He is what Loui Eriksson was supposed to be. His shot is deadly, and he seems to fit in a few different roles. Look for Vanek to make his mark tonight… Granlund too!
THE TWITTER TAKE
I know they’re new, and all but they’re only allowed to have two.
MY 94 CENTS
It continues to be the issue but if the power play shows up like it did the other night, the Canucks may start climbing the standings… albeit not the far, but they’ll climb. With Vegas getting waxed against the Oilers and their goalie situation resembling the “Who’s on first?” comedy sketch, they could be ripe for the picking, and the Canucks could feast with their young team.
OVER / UNDER
Dylan Ferguson/Kamloops Blazer references (+/- 3) Take the under on this. I feel like two mentions will be the peak but it’s such a crazy story that it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they get caught talking about it more than that.
Brock Boeser hat-trick (+/- 0) Take the over. It’s Boeser time!
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