CanucksArmy Presents: The Game Day feat: Canucks @ Leafs
By Always90four
3 years agoOPENING FACE/OFF
The Vancouver Canucks get another chance to knock off the Leafs of Toronto. It didn’t go so well last time and it’s possible they just need to feel it, you know, like eye test stuff. Take away the numbers, take away ridiculous goal statistics and just know the Canucks aren’t as bad as their record shows.
Okay, they are but is there a chance they can bounce back? Sure. Are you trying to tell me (Ryan, epic game day preview guy) that Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, and Quinn Hughes can’t get this team out of their spaz? Have you given up already? This is the Canucks we’re talking about. Are they the one and done in the playoffs Edmonton Oilers?
NO!
We’re one Brock Boeser/Elias Pettersson highlight of the night away from believing again.
The Canucks can bounce back out of this. No #FireBenning tonight, no “ran out of time” (although, that one is my new fave). It’s time to see the Canucks get back in the driver’s seat.
Let’s…Do…THIS!™
WHERE CAN I FIND THIS GAME?
TV: CBC / RADIO: SN 650 / PUCK DROP: 4:00 PM
LINEUPS
Loui Eriksson was recalled from the taxi squad and even though it’s likely a paper move to adjust cap numbers, his PK and defensive prowess might be a welcome change. Making an impact against the Leafs gets lots of good publicity. A snipe show goal helps, too!
Braden Holtby will likely get the start. The goaltending hasn’t hit its stride yet. But you knew that.
CANUCKS LINES COURTESY OF DAILYFACEOFF.COM:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 J.T. MILLER Rating: 78.5#7 LW |  BO HORVAT Rating: 74.8#34 C |  BROCK BOESER Rating: 74.1#41 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 75.80#13 FL1 |
 TANNER PEARSON Rating: 73.7#38 LW |  ELIAS PETTERSSON Rating: 77.7#14 C |  NILS HOGLANDER | FL2 Rating Rating: 75.71#4 FL2 |
 ANTOINE ROUSSEL Rating: 71.0#97 LW |  BRANDON SUTTER Rating: 70.1#131 C |  ADAM GAUDETTE Rating: 70.2#130 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 70.44#27 FL3 |
 TYLER MOTTE Rating: 68.8#144 LW |  JAY BEAGLE Rating: 68.4#163 C |  JAKE VIRTANEN Rating: 72.0#78 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 69.73#25 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 QUINN HUGHES Rating: 75.2#15 LD |  JORDIE BENN Rating: 70.9#101 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 73.04#28 DL1 |
 NATE SCHMIDT Rating: 75.5#18 LD |  TYLER MYERS Rating: 72.6#50 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 74.02#5 DL2 |
 ALEXANDER EDLER Rating: 74.3#26 LD |  JALEN CHATFIELD | DL3 Rating Rating: 74.31#3 DL3 |
After Travis Dermott was knocked out of the game on Thursday, he’s DTD for this one. No other lineup news for the Leafs.
Frederik Andersen should get the start again tonight. He didn’t need to be spectacular last game against the Canucks and he’s rested.
LEAFS LINES COURTESY OF DAILYFACEOFF.COM:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 ZACH HYMAN Rating: 74.6#33 LW |  AUSTON MATTHEWS Rating: 82.3#6 C |  MITCH MARNER Rating: 76.6#18 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 77.83#4 FL1 |
 WILLIAM NYLANDER Rating: 76.1#23 LW |  JOHN TAVARES Rating: 77.6#15 C |  WAYNE SIMMONDS Rating: 70.2#112 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 74.64#11 FL2 |
 JIMMY VESEY Rating: 70.6#107 LW |  ALEXANDER KERFOOT Rating: 70.8#113 C |  ILYA MIKHEYEV Rating: 74.0#42 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 71.83#18 FL3 |
 NIC PETAN |  TRAVIS BOYD Rating: 70.4#124 C |  JASON SPEZZA Rating: 69.4#126 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 70.03#24 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 MORGAN RIELLY Rating: 75.3#14 LD |  T.J. BRODIE Rating: 74.2#27 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 74.76#16 DL1 |
 JAKE MUZZIN Rating: 75.1#17 LD |  JUSTIN HOLL Rating: 72.0#61 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 73.56#11 DL2 |
 MIKKO LEHTONEN |  ZACH BOGOSIAN Rating: 71.4#76 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 71.45#25 DL3 |
GAME NOTES, INTERESTING STATS, AND FELIX POTVIN REMEMBERS
- Felix Potvin was the goalie — well one of a few anyway — that helped usher in the Sedin era which now has the Canucks and their fans wondering what the next era will be. Potvin had 26 wins in 69 combined games over the two seasons he was a Canuck and his save percentage was only slightly worse than the current tandem in net. For the record, all three goalies had a sub-900 SV%.
- If J.T. Miller manages two points tonight, he’s tied for fifth in the league in scoring. The same Miller that everyone seems to be freaking out about that he looks lost. Remember when we were worried about EP or heck even Brock? The points are still coming for Miller and all it takes is a spark; the goal last game might have been that spark.
- Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists last game and he’s riding an eight-point, five-game point streak. He’s not Auston Matthews but he’s living up to that contract. Pettersson might want to take note of what to do to get the big pay day.
- Is Tanner Pearson unsung so far this season? He has goals in three of his last five games and his work ethic per 60 has been noteworthy. Don’t sleep on Pearson in his contract year. He’s not TT73 but he might be noticed if he leaves as well.
- The key to tonight’s game for the Canucks is to keep the middle frame scoreless. Like NOBODY can score either way. It’s their most tumultuous period this season by a solid 10 goals. Don’t trade chances in the second. Score early, get a buffer, then wait it out until the third. Trust me.
TWITTER TOLD YOU
CANUCKS!!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO TOMMY!?!?!?!
MY 94 CENTS
The Canucks have put themselves in quite the predicament. The whooping at the hands of the Leafs wasn’t all that fun despite the goals that were scored on the Canucks’ behalf. They need another win and as long as it isn’t a pity win, things can continue. Everyone thinks the Canucks are in a tailspin towards the drain, and they may very well be, but you can’t convince me they’re the worst team in the league.
The win against the Jets wasn’t a fluke. They beat a legitimately good team and their own heads are getting in the way. Don’t bother telling me that taking away the Senators games puts the Canucks in a worse position because you can’t do that. Putting in Cory Schneider in Game 6 might have won the Cup but we’ll never know.
Loui Eriksson is still a Canuck. This team isn’t done sucking and it’s not going to hit rock bottom. Sadly.
THE FINAL WORD
There is no way Jason Spezza does what he did again. He isn’t Tyler Toffoli…AHH, I SAID THE NAME THAT SHALL NOT BE SPOKEN. Vancouver needs to get back to basics. Keep the lines the same and work through it. They’ve beat it before.
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