THE INTRO
The Canucks will look to close out their road trip on a high note. Vancouver takes on the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit and can finish their trip taking six of eight possible points. They haven’t hit the 10-game mark but they’re getting results that haven’t been seen in Vancouver in many years.
Transitioning to a winning culture seems odd, considering winning has been the last thing anyone has cheered for in the last few seasons. The Red Wings will be sour after getting worked over in Vancouver a week ago. Elias Pettersson still hasn’t taken over yet and he’s playing at a point-per-game pace. Just imagine the possibilities.
Let’s Do This!™
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
The odds for tonight’s game are: (VAN -120 / DET +100) courtesy of
OddsShark.comTV / RADIO / PUCK DROP
SN360 / SN650 / 5:30 PM
LINEUPS
Adam Gaudette isn’t getting back in the lineup, there just isn’t room. Brandon Sutter has played surprisingly well as has Jay Beagle, so what does Travis Green do? Play the winning hand, I guess?
The Bo Horvat line has Jake Virtanen as a winger for now and Jake needs to embrace that ten-fold. Micheal Ferland could easily strike the iron hot and take the spot. It’s a new world.
Jacob Markstrom is coming off a massive 3-2 win in New York and it’s unlikely he sits tonight. The guy is a beast!
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|
| | | FL1 Rating Rating: 76.66#13 FL1 |
| | | FL2 Rating Rating: 72.84#23 FL2 |
| | | FL3 Rating Rating: 71.99#18 FL3 |
| | | FL4 Rating Rating: 69.38#30 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense |
|---|
| | DL1 Rating Rating: 75.19#13 DL1 |
| | DL2 Rating Rating: 73.59#18 DL2 |
| | DL3 Rating Rating: 72.89#14 DL3 |
Jonathan Ericsson is day-to-day and might even play tonight. Ericsson hasn’t played yet this season but it sounds like he’s close. Adam Erne is also day-to-day (UBI) but could also be available to play tonight. Dennis Cholowski didn’t practice Monday but again… he… might… play.
Jonathan Bernier will be the likely starter for Detroit.
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|
| | | FL1 Rating Rating: 77.32#8 FL1 |
| | | FL2 Rating Rating: 71.62#31 FL2 |
| | | FL3 Rating Rating: 70.87#28 FL3 |
| | | FL4 Rating Rating: 70.49#25 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense |
|---|
| | DL1 Rating Rating: 72.82#27 DL1 |
| | DL2 Rating Rating: 71.78#29 DL2 |
| | DL3 Rating Rating: 69.29#31 DL3 |
GAME NOTES AND A STAT OR TWO
- This has been a great start to the Canucks season and it feels like just one season ago they started their campaign 5-3. They did. It didn’t go as planned as the season carried through. What has been dramatically different this season is the emergence of a well-rounded defense and goaltending that looks like it’s in mid-season form. Road wins are going to be very important this season and tonight is a chance to jump on a team that hasn’t won in four-straight games.
- As much as the Canucks have been scoring on their opponents this season, they haven’t been allowing that many goals. Vancouver is tied with the Bruins for third in the league with 2.13 GA/GP. The Canucks aren’t even in the top-10 for shots-against. The Rangers game would seem contrary to these stats but this team is slowly outshooting its problems.
- Further to this, the Canucks are just outside spitting distance of the league-leaders in CF%. Vancouver’s 51.08 rating is 0.87 away from 10th overall. There are a handful of unlikely surprises on this Canucks squad but it does stem back to a defense that has kept the puck away from the defensive zone.
- After a 5-1 drubbing by Vancouver in the two team’s last meeting, Detroit will have to have an answer for the Canucks. That being said, the Canucks are playing with a ton of confidence right now and they may not know they shouldn’t be as good as they are. Remember, Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser have yet to hit their “stride” yet. The Canucks are actually going to be better than they’ve played and that has to get fans excited. Heck, I’m excited just typing this.
- Thatcher Demko and Jacob Markstrom are making the Canucks a legitimate challenger this season. Their SV% are both in the top half of the league as are their GAA. What is a nice change is that they haven’t faced the most shots in the NHL nor do they have the most saves. There are so many little things that make up a successful team and with the depth the Canucks currently have, injuries may steer clear this season. That’s yet to be determined but “everything in moderation” should be the new slogan for the Canucks. Well, except for winning.
#CANUCKSTWITTER
This is good right?
MY 94 CENTS
Unfortunately, I have bought into the Canucks dynamic start! That means I believe they will win tonight but I also believe it won’t be easy. The Canucks stormed out to a commanding 3-0 lead last game but they also proved that they need to press for an entire game, not just 20 minutes.
I’m still waiting for a Quinn Hughes five-point game and I believe he’s close. Micheal Ferland is due for a big game too! This is my prediction.
AND ONE MORE THING…
