CANUCKSARMY GDT 53 – CANUCKS @ PANTHERS
By Always90four
6 years agoIt’s the first meeting of the season between the Vancouver Canucks and the Florida Panthers. Unfortunately for Canucks fans, Roberto Luongo won’t be in the lineup in any capacity, although he could return to Vancouver in a fitting rematch on Valentines Day. With yet another matchup of two teams that are nowhere close to the playoff picture, this game will spotlight the future of what these teams may resemble.
Let’s Do This!™
WATCH / LISTEN / FACE-OFF
TV: SNET-P
RADIO: SN650
PUCK DROP: 4:30 PM
LINE COMBINATIONS
Loui Eriksson took rushes with the Sedins on Monday which means that line will at the very least get a period or two. The de facto top line will remain while the line of Nic Dowd, Brendan Gaunce, and Jake Virtanen should see more shifts after making a difference the last two games.
Erik Gudbranson will need to yet again be in the lineup if Jim Benning has plans for a trade while the pair of Ben Hutton and Derrick Pouliot are in Travis Green’s doghouse, but should see action as soon as today.
Jacob Markstrom should start against his old team.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 SVEN BAERTSCHI |  BO HORVAT |  BROCK BOESER |
 DANIEL SEDIN |  HENRIK SEDIN |  LOUI ERIKSSON |
 MARKUS GRANLUND |  BRANDON SUTTER |  THOMAS VANEK |
 BRENDAN GAUNCE |  NIC DOWD |  JAKE VIRTANEN |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER |  TROY STECHER |
 MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO |  CHRIS TANEV |
 DERRICK POULIOT |  ERIK GUDBRANSON |
Former Canuck Jared McCann is in the lineup and if he does anything that resembles a goal, assist, or heck even a hit, the Panthers will have won that trade and there will be no end to it. Denis Malgin has found a fit with Jonathan Huberdeau so there could be some “Malgic” against the Canucks.
Harri Sateri has been a stone wall for Florida; expect him to start this evening.
Florida Panthers lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 EVGENY DADONOV |  ALEKSANDER BARKOV |  NICK BJUGSTAD |
 JONATHAN HUBERDEAU |  VINCENT TROCHECK |  DENIS MALGIN |
 JAMIE MCGINN |  JARED MCCANN |  MAXIM MAMIN |
 MICHEAL HALEY |  DEREK MACKENZIE |  COLTON SCEVIOUR |
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- The Canucks and Panthers are separated by five goals allowed in the standings. If Florida has an off night and say, doesn’t score at all, they could tie the Canucks and really that’s all the stat heads want. This would not accomplish anything but make this unique finding relevant. Count on it happening now.
- Florida is riding a three-game win streak while the Canucks haven’t won three in a row since December. Vancouver has been known to break a streak or two in the past, so tonight would seem like a good night to rain on the parade. Vancouver is also known for its heavy rain throughout the year, little-known fact.
- The slump is busted and Brock Boeser is 14 points away from tieing Pavel Bure’s rookie total of 60 points in 1991/92. Getting there will most likely come via the goals category and he’s nine away from Bure’s mark that year. The march to the Calder is on. Just some Barzal character to catch now.
- Henrik Sedin does not have a power-play goal this season. His passing acumen is well-documented but even his two worst seasons on the power play had him scoring two and three PPG respectively. This is bad, even for Henrik. A bold prediction awaits in the O/E.
- Tonight will test the Canucks “grit” and “toughness”. Florida leads the league with 29 major penalties (yikes!), they’re second in the NHL with 603 PIM, and they average just over 12 minutes in penalties per game. The Canucks need to stand up for themselves tonight and more importantly, capitalize on the chances they are expected to get.
THE TWITTER TAKE
Well ya, when you stitch the ‘C’ on you’ll be able to see where the ‘A’ was originally. Makes sense.
MY 94 CENTS
Considering the Canucks actually faired quite well until the end of the game versus the Lightning, I like their chances against the Panthers tonight. Of course, another random rookie goaltender is in the lineup so expect the Canucks to struggle to put pucks past him. That being said, the top line could create some fireworks after Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat took the stage when the chips were down.
I say this one goes to OT and the Canucks find a way to steal it.
OVER / UNDER
Jared McCann points (+/- 1.5) Ya, he’ll get at least a point but I doubt he gets more. Take the under.
Henrik Sedin 5v5 goals (+/- 0.5) Henrik bulges the twine and creates hysterity amongst Canucks Nation. Take the over.
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