logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Canucks Army GDT #51 – Canucks vs. Penguins
alt
Rhys Jessop
Feb 7, 2015, 15:24 ESTUpdated:
Comments
After dropping their last game by a disappointing 5-1 score to the San Jose Sharks, the Vancouver Canucks wrap up their home stand tonight against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens enter the night having won two games in a row and sitting atop the Metropolitan division, but their lead is tenuous at best, so they’ll surely be motivated to put forth a strong effort tonight.
Read past the jump for a preview.

Broadcast Info

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM PST
TV: CBC
Radio: TSN 1040

Lineups

Courtsey of DailyFaceoff.com
Defensive Pairings
 
Alexander Edler
 
Yannick Weber
 
Dan Hamhuis
 
Luca Sbisa
 
Ryan Stanton
 
Adam Clendening
Chris Tanev is a game-time decision. Frank Corrado will be out. Brad Richardson remains injured. Zack Kassian will re-join the lineup after being a frequent healthy scratch, no word yet on who comes out. Ryan Miller will start in goal.
The Penguins, who have been crushed by some unfortunate injuries this season, will be without Christian Ehrhoff (concussion), Blake Comeau (wrist injury), Olli Maatta (cancer, mumps, and shoulder surgery), and Pascal Dupuis (blood clot in lung). Thomas Greiss will start in goal.

Head to Head

Storylines

  • Kassi-in – Zack Kassian will make his return to Vancouver’s lineup tonight, though it remains to be seen who comes out. Kassian has had his struggles this season, and they haven’t been helped by being yo-yoed in and out of the lineup, but he’s also suffering from a brutal PDO and should see some more pucks start going in the opposing net for him. Kassian both generates and gives up scoring chances at the highest levels among all Canucks, and given his benchings, it’s fairly obvious he’ll have to play nearly flawlessly to earn the trust of his coach.
  • Olympic Rematch – It was five years ago this month that Sidney Crosby took a pass from Jarome Iginla and fired a quick shot through Ryan Miller’s legs to win Canada the olympic hockey gold medal in the friendly confines of Rogers Arena. Crosby and Miller have played each other since then, but never back in Vancouver. Miller is 1-4-0 in his last 5 starts with an 0.874 save percentage.
  • Willie Wants More – Willie Desjardins looks to be getting frustrated with his team, as he demanded more intensity from the players in Friday’s practice. The Canucks looked disengaged and out-classed at times against San Jose, but part of that was simply being out-played by a better 5-on-5 team. You’d like to see a better and more consistent effort out of an aging Vancouver team, and they’ll need one tonight against a strong Penguins club, but one begins to wonder just how much more there is for this team to give.

Gameday Reading

Breaking News