CANUCKSARMY GDT 59 – CANUCKS VS. BRUINS
By Always90four
6 years agoIt’s the final meeting of the season between the 2011 Stanley Cup Final contestants as the Vancouver Canucks host the Boston Bruins.
Tonight’s matchup could be an eye-opener for the Canucks if they fail to materialize more than a goal (or even a goal to begin with) and sink lower in the standings. The Bruins are 23-3-0-4 in their last 30 games so it should be expected the Canucks have their work cut out for them.
This is a must-win game for Vancouver; Canucks fans can only take so much.
Let’s Do This!™
WATCH / LISTEN / FACE-OFF
TV: SNET-P / SN 360
RADIO: SN650
PUCK DROP: 7:00 PM
LINE COMBINATIONS
There is a good chance Philip Holm plays this evening. Sven Baertschi should also slot back in so the guessing game begins as to who will sit tonight. Imagine if Travis Green had the brass to sit Loui Eriksson. The physical game was good against San Jose so pretty much anyone but Eriksson should be safe.
Markus Granlund may be done for the year and Sam Gagner is still out. Chris Tanev is also sidelined.
Jacob Markstrom should be cooled off by now. He should start tonight unless something ridiculous happens.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 NIKOLAY GOLDOBIN |  BO HORVAT |  BROCK BOESER |
 DANIEL SEDIN |  HENRIK SEDIN |  THOMAS VANEK |
 DARREN ARCHIBALD |  BRANDON SUTTER |  LOUI ERIKSSON |
 REID BOUCHER |  NIC DOWD |  JAKE VIRTANEN |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER |  ERIK GUDBRANSON |
 MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO |  TROY STECHER |
 BEN HUTTON |  DERRICK POULIOT |
Kevan Miller is still out and will not play tonight but is expected back as soon as the game against the Oilers. Frank Vatrano and Anders Bjork are also out of the lineup and the Bruins have recalled Jordan Swarz on an emergency basis.
Danton Heinen will make his debut against his hometown Canucks, seven years after attending Game 7. He now has a new allegiance but the Langley kid will have a few family members in the stands.
Tuukka Rask is the confirmed starter.
Boston Bruins lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 BRAD MARCHAND |  PATRICE BERGERON |  DAVID PASTRNAK |
 JAKE DEBRUSK |  DAVID KREJCI |  RYAN SPOONER |
 DANTON HEINEN |  RILEY NASH |  DAVID BACKES |
 TIM SCHALLER |  SEAN KURALY |  NOEL ACCIARI |
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- The Bruins are three points back of first-overall in the league while the Canucks are a Senators win away from being 29th. These teams were supposed to be close and even with Boston’s botched drafting technique, they are in far better shape than the Canucks would hope to be. Congrats Bruins, you win.
- After being healthy-scratched last game, expect Sven Baertschi to bounce back with a strong showing. He may not get consistent time with the Brock Boeser/Bo Horvat group but he’ll have a chip on his shoulder to produce. #moralvictories
- 2011 was a long time ago but since the beginning of the 2011/12 season, Daniel Sedin leads all Canucks with eight points against the Bruins. As far as goals are concerned, Markus Granlund, Alex Burrows, and Shawn Matthias are all tied with three goals versus the Bruins. Of course, none of them are here or healthy.
- Boston leads the NHL in CF% with 53.78. Their possession game is something to behold while the Canucks are ninth-worst with 47.8%. A mismatch if there ever was one. Like the Canucks don’t have enough problems.
- Has there been a more impressive player than Troy Stecher the last week or so? The beating that man has taken and continued to perform is simply breathtaking. He hasn’t been noticeable on the scoresheet but he’s keeping games closer than they should be. I can’t imagine a Canucks team without him.
THE TWITTER TAKE
Foreshadowing?
MY 94 CENTS
The players may have changed for the most part but the heart of the beast is still there. Tonight is still an important game for any Canucks fan and until Vancouver wins a Cup, the Bruins will always keep that wound open even if it’s just a bit. Hopefully, the Canucks put up one of those one-off games where even Don Cherry is impressed.
OVER / UNDER
Brad Marchand getting another cheap shot in against a Sedin (+/- 0.5) Take the over, he’s a punk.
Daniel Sedin hits (+/- 2.5) In what could be labeled as his most physical game ever, Daniel Sedin will look to back up his five-hit performance against San Jose with an equally impressive feat tonight versus the Bruins. Take the over.
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