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CANUCKS ARMY GDT# 32 – CANUCKS @ WILD
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Always90four
Dec 15, 2015, 15:00 ESTUpdated:
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The Canucks actually have won games this year and believe it or not, this same Wild team is one of those wins. Last time these two teams faced, the Canucks won 3-2 and we were all so happy for Radim Vrbata. Minny knew what was up so they delayed the start time to 5 pm. Smart.
Vancouver is looking for answers pretty much anywhere they can and in the latest version of “Most important game of the season” the Canucks need to go from structure to scoring.

BROADCAST INFO

TV: SNET-P
RADIO: TSN 1040
PUCK DROP: 5 PM (SERIOUSLY???)

LINE COMBOS

If you all remember, no one scored for the Canucks last game….no one. Let’s have a redo and see if our Canucks can finish off their chances. The PP looked like it was clicking, just not on the scoreboard. Still liking McCann’s gumption and I really hope things start going his way again. As you all know, Jake Virtanen is World Juniors bound. Good for him, some meaningful playing time and points….he’ll get points. The Horvat line needs to break out, they need anything to go their way right now. They HAVE been playing right?
Ryan Miller is expected to start. I surely hope his glove hand is functional this evening.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
Defensive Pairings
 
Alexander Edler
 
Chris Tanev
 
Ben Hutton
 
Yannick Weber
 
Alex Biega
 
Matt Bartkowski
Jarkko’s brother, Mikko, leads the Wild in points and come Christmas morning, I’m sure that will be the talk around the tree. Anyone else notice the Wild are slowly trying to rebuild the 2009 Buffalo Sabres? Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek…ok thats it but still; somethings up there. Minny’s right in the thick of things in the Central and with Kuemper playing the role of brick wall, wins are coming easy.
Darcy Kuemper will start because his team needs him, he is #winning games.
Minnesota Wild lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:

REASONS TO WATCH THIS GAME

  • The Sedins – at the end of the day, you’ll still have the Sedins. They can lose, they can be outplayed for the most part, heck they can even play one period out of three, but the Sedin’s will be there and we need to support them.
  • Ben Hutton saw some chances last game and it might be time to get the #HUTTONmania hype train running again. Imagine, Canucks win, Hutton scores a GWG and the Internets break at the same time. We can hope Canucks nation, we can hope.
  • 3 points out of last in the West, 6 points out of 5th; its a mess but the Canucks have been given a gift this year in a crummy division. If they happen to just suck a little bit less, they’ll actually be in the playoffs. However, then no Auston Matthews. Catch 22 for sure.
  • Daniel Sedin beat Henrik to 33 points, a feat you would expect either Henrik to get to first or at the very least both of them at the same time. This might just tick Hank off to the point where HE has the 4 point night instead of Daniel just to let everyone know he’s not the lesser Sedin. Am I reaching at straws here, no, no I’m not.
  • Alex Edler is 3rd on the team in official shots, not Corsi, not Fenwick either and it’s showing. The Sedins are getting him the puck and on the PP he is getting his chances. Edler has been up and down this year but if starts getting a better lane to shoot, Edler might be able to salvage that back end. They need it.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Ugh, that’s not good. Not surprising, but still not good. 

MY TAKE

A hot Darcy Kuemper usually means the Canucks are walking into a firestorm. Peppering a goalie like that with as many shots as possible is job one, but getting in the dirty areas is their main concern. The Canucks don’t do that….at all, save Burrows. These aren’t your Dad’s Canucks. Well, if you are like 4, maybe 5 years old and you happen to be regularly reading Canucks Army. If so, you’ve been raised well.

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