The Quest For The West: Canucks & Predators

> Bottom Six Musical Chairs: Stop me if you’re heard this: Vigneault could be once again jumbling the bottom six. Still reeling from the loss of Malhotra (who is having eye surgery in New York today), the coach was rolling with Hansen (who’s never played center) alongside Torres and Oreskovich on the third line. Lapierre, though stronger in recent games, isn’t showing what Vigneault wants to see, so the former Hab could skate with Bolduc and Tambellini. Tanev returns alongside Ballard while Rome will skate with Bieksa. Luongo returns to net.

> Potential First Rounder?: The Predators have used some different names to drive the bus recently: David Legwand and Sergei Kostitsyn both enter the night with six-game point streaks and Patric Hornqvist has five points in three games. Rinne remains a game changer and his Vezina-worthy season rolls along with his 2.10 GAA & .929 SV% (for comparison, Luongo sports a 2.18GAA and a .927 SV%). It wouldn’t be shocking to see Luongo V. Rinne in the first round. SOB’s head may explode.

> Impress Your Friends With Knowledge!: With a single point the Canucks will win the Western Conference title and hone their sites on the President’s Trophy during the final two weeks of regular season play.