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CANUCKS ARMY GDT# 48 – CANUCKS @ BLACKHAWKS
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Always90four
Jan 22, 2017, 11:00 ESTUpdated:
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Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin – USA TODAY Sports
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The Canucks and Blackhawks face off on Hometown Hockey tonight and if you’re looking for a slobber knocker, this might not be the venue. The once heated rivalry has cooled in the last few years but there are still enough players on both teams left from the good ol’ days.
Now that Henrik Sedin has his 1000th point, the Canucks can focus on moving the puck around to everyone and trying to notch another win. Both the Hawks and Canucks are no stranger to the one goal games so this one could be tight.
LINE COMBOS
OK, we got what we wanted and Loui Eriksson is with the Sedins. Now, how do we get Reid Boucher into the lineup? Jayson Megna seems like a good option but he’s been a beast lately so… I mean Brendan Gaunce hasn’t exactly been lights out either so Willie might want to give one of those spots a try.
Jordan Subban still hasn’t cracked the lineup for a tryout but substituting Alex Biega out for a game or two would be an idea worth following through on. Subban has a power play presence and last time I checked, the Canucks power play is dreadful.
Ryan Miller will be in net unless I miss a memo between now and puck drop.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
There hasn’t been a whole Latta talk about the Hawks lately, just the odd trade. Yes, that was a pun and No I’m not apologizing for its awfulness. Michael Latta was acquired from the Kings for Cameron Schilling. 
Imagine if this is the game that Nikita Tryamkin pays back the Hawks for everything they inflicted on the Sedins, that is worth watching.
Scott Darling may start tonight but Coach Quenneville is staying mum.
Chicago Blackhawks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
GAME NOTES, STATS AND OTHER INTERESTING INFO
  • There be no shelter here, the front line is everywhere – Since Jan 1, Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and let’s be serious, Loui Eriksson have combined for 13 points in 9 games. It’s not earth shattering but that top line is starting to produce again now that Bo Horvat has become a legitimate threat.
  • Henrik Sedin isn’t a shooter, this we know. What we probably don’t know is that his SH% is surprisingly high. Henrik sits 12th in the league with 19.3%. He’s a choosy shooter but he is making it count when he does. Just another reason he’s #HENR1K
  • The last time these two teams met, the Canucks blew the dreaded 3-0 lead (worst lead in hockey) and lost in OT. Vinnie Hinostroza had a monster game so one would expect Willie Desjardins to match up Vinnie a bit better this time but the fact he’s on the third line means it could be a tough night as Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are employed on lines 1 and 2. This would be a GREAT night to start six healthy defensemen, maybe a scoring one as well (subtle Subban hint).
  • Here we go again – a win puts the Canucks in 6th place! You read that correctly. The West, as I’ve said doesn’t have much competition so making it past game 82 this year isn’t going to be as tough as everyone thought. Pulling off a road win against the Blackhawks builds confidence and when Jannik Hansen comes back after the All-Star Game, this team might actually have something here.
  • Before Chelsea Dagger, before the Keith hit, before Dave Bolland and Dustin Byfuglien and before the dragon slayer… we had this. It might not be the marquee matchup it used to be but these two teams will always have a history.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
This might be a tight game, just saying.
MY TAKE
Despite our combined criticism, the Canucks continue to stay on pace to make the playoffs. This is a problem to some of you but if they’re hanging in there in a month then we may need to adjust our views on how bad or essentially, how good this team actually may be. Beating the Blackhawks tonight is actually a good measuring stick for what could be coming.
Their road record is terrible but it’s never too late to change things. Scoring on the PP will help that. 
HAVE THE CANUCKS BEAT THE ODDS?
They aren’t in the playoffs yet but with every win, they put to bed the tale of 65 points and move closer to getting back to the normal we recognize. Imagine the Canucks not having to tank, imagine them with capable players that they didn’t have to trade for.
This could be a reality.

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