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CANUCKS ARMY GDT# 29 – CANUCKS VS. SABRES
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Always90four
Dec 7, 2015, 14:00 ESTUpdated:
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Two teams coming off a loss meet tonight and it’s a guarantee that one of them will win. For the Canucks, they are hoping to stay ahead of the Flames and Oilers to keep themselves from the absolute cellar position they haven’t seen in decades; the Sabres are a point back of the Canucks in the overall standings so you get the feeling desperation hockey will be on the menu this evening. Desperation hockey would actually be welcome in these parts. I said it.

BROADCAST INFO

TV: SNET-P
RADIO: TSN 1040
PUCK DROP: 7 PM

LINE COMBOS

Henrik and Daniel no doubt are frustrated that their line seems to be the only one contributing anything. Not entirely fair to say that, Jared McCann is sure toughing out his rookie season and with linemates only a rookie would accept. We could go up and down the lineup to find out who hasn’t produced or contributed in any respectable way, but this is a game preview and not a novel. Things are about to get serious….seriously awful and it really won’t matter who’s in the lineup if they don’t turn things around.
Even rebuilds have a compete level.
Ryan Miller watched his team not play the Bruins. Hopefully, they show up for him tonight.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
Defensive Pairings
 
Alexander Edler
 
Chris Tanev
 
Dan Hamhuis
 
Yannick Weber
 
Alex Biega
 
Matt Bartkowski
Zemgus Girgensons was hit in the face with a puck in a 4-2 loss to the Oilers last night so he’s questionable. Watching all of 5 minutes of that game made me realize the Canucks aren’t close when it comes to compete level and winning doesn’t seem like something can accomplish right now. These Sabres have shown promise, and honestly, if they play a full 60 minutes, I like their chances. That being said, it’s still the Sabres and the Canucks on paper should beat these guys.
Chad Johnson (not the real Ochocinco) started in EDM, so Linus Ullmark should get the start.
Buffalo Sabres lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:

REASONS TO WATCH THIS GAME (I’LL COME UP WITH A FEW I’M SURE)

  • It’s West Coast Express night! Memories of a better time for sure. These 3 guys (Bertuzzi, Naslund and Morrison) helped usher in a new Canucks fan base that has tolerated a lot since they left. For one night, we can feel good again.
  • I gave you a stat last game about how the Canucks haven’t faired well on their opponents 2nd game of the back to back and Saturday proved that yet again. Tonight, the Sabres are coming off a loss in Edmonton yesterday so, at the very least, the Canucks could win this and maybe save a few jumpers from the ledge.
  • This last stretch of dragging the fans through the mud has been rough, but when they start talking about not losing (which is the opposite of winning) things are worse than we thought. I feel for the Sedins and I don’t want to see them go out like this. I want to see the Twins continue their torrid scoring pace and so do you.
  • Brandon Prust is $5000 poorer but really, it was a nice way to spend $5000. Brad Marchand was speared in the junk and despite that game against Boston that resembled a tire fire, it made us believe that these guys do know sometimes you have to do what’s right. Thank you, Brandon. He’ll play tonight I wouldn’t be surprised if he somehow managed to get first start. OK second, McCann would have to get first.
  • Put the mess aside for awhile and even though that may be next to impossible, see how guys like McCann and Hutton are doing. This is the future so get behind it. It might not be pretty for the next little while but don’t jump ship now. Then again, if you’re reading Canucks Army you are educated enough to know this already.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING


MY TAKE

There have been some tough, tough losses, but let’s just say the bottom falls out this season; Canucks somehow land this Matthews kid and 5 years from now they are the Canucks we applauded in 2011, would you take it? I would. It’s all about the Cup and even the best teams suffered once. Canucks do win this one because Todd Bertuzzi will threaten each and every one of those players in the Vancouver locker room with the same threat he made to Morrison. Tweet me for the answer.

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