logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Canucks Army GDT #43 – Canucks @ Hurricanes
alt
Rhys Jessop
Jan 16, 2015, 16:54 ESTUpdated:
Comments
After disposing of the Flyers 4-0 in the city of brotherly love last night, Vancouver is back in action this afternoon to take on the 28th place Carolina Hurricanes. They’ll have some welcome support too, as Dan Hamhuis returns from a two-month absence, skating in his first game back since his injury, and they’ll need his steadying presence too in order to take two points away from a suddenly streaking Carolina Hurricanes team.
It’s a more dangerous game than the standing make it appear tonight, so read past the jump for a preview.

Broadcast Info

Puck Drop: 4:00 PM PST
TV: Sportsnet
Radio: TSN 1040

Lineups

Courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com
Defensive Pairings
 
Alexander Edler
 
Chris Tanev
 
Dan Hamhuis
 
Kevin Bieksa
 
Luca Sbisa
 
Ryan Stanton
Dan Hamhuis returns to the lineup tonight after recovering from a lower body injury. The new-look 2nd and 3rd lines will likely remain the same as last game, meaning Zack Kassian will likely sit once again. Frank Corrado may also draw in for either Luca Sbisa or Ryan Stanton. Ryan Miller is the probable starter after shutting out the Philadelphia Flyers last night.
Cam Ward will be in goal for the Hurricanes. Ward is 11-16-3 with a 0.913 save percentage on the year.

Head to Head

Storylines

  • Beware the Trap – Looking solely at the standings, it’s tempting to call the 28th place Hurricanes a team that the Canucks definitely should beat, but the underlying numbers tell a different story. The ‘Canes have been a better puck possession team than the Canucks, especially in the last 10 games, and are 4-1-1 in January. Like Vancouver, they’ve had massive difficulties scoring goals at 5-on-5 this season, thanks mainly to a league-low 6.0% on-ice shooting percentage. They’re a better team than their record indicates, and with Vancouver playing the second half of a road back-to-back and having traveled last night, the Canucks may be in tough to come away with two points. Tonight’s game is the very definition of a trap game.
  • Welcome Back, Dan! – The Canucks made the biggest acquisition they could have made this morning, welcoming back a legitimate and consistent top-4 NHL defenseman to their lineup in Dan Hamhuis. Vancouver has struggled enormously on the left side since Hamhuis was felled with an injury eight weeks ago, as neither Luca Sbisa nor Ryan Stanton was able to perform adequately in top-4 roles. This will also help Kevin Bieksa return to form, as his play took a hit when paired with either of Vancouver’s two questionable left-handed defenders too.
  • Natural Born Killers – The Canucks and the Hurricanes both boast elite penalty killing units, though Carolina’s has been red-hot in particular. The Hurricanes have not allowed a powerplay goal in eleven straight outings, killing off 28 consecutive penalties, and have allowed just 15 on the entire season. They’re a disciplined group too, having taken the second fewest minor penalties this season. Working in the Canucks favour is that they’ve been an elite shot-suppressing group, led by Chris Tanev and Alex Edler on the back end and Brad Richardson up front. Shawn Matthias has been wildly effective too in minimal usage, posting a ShotsFor% of an astounding 47.4% while shorthanded. By contrast, his ShotsFor% at 5-on-5 is just 46.6%. This is more likely a statistical quirk than actual talent, but Vancouver’s depth PK’ers have still been exceptional.

Gameday Links

Breaking News