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CANUCKS ARMY GDT 61 – CANUCKS @ GOLDEN KNIGHTS
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Always90four
Feb 23, 2018, 14:56 EST
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As the Brandon Flowers song goes “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.” The Canucks hop on a quick flight to Vegas to take on the absolutely red-hot Vegas Golden Knights.
This story should have gone away a long time ago, but these guys are legit. Vancouver has taken a different path this season so they’ll be looking to accumulate moral victories and maybe even a real win at the end of 60 minutes. Both teams are separated by 31 points in the standings so it could be evidently clear early on that tonight’s game is a mismatch. Regardless…
Let’s Do This!™
WATCH / LISTEN / FACE-OFF
TV: SNET-P
RADIO: SN650
PUCK DROP: 7:30 PM
LINE COMBINATIONS
The power-play has a new look with Nikolay Goldobin, the Sedins, Brock Boeser and Philip Holm. That seems like a lot of firepower if any of them have the puck. Also, get it to Boeser. Sam Gagner practiced with the team yesterday but most likely is still out. Ben Hutton and Alex Biega were on the fourth pairing for defence. Writing is on the wall there.
It looks like Richard Bachman has been sent down which means both Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson will be in the lineup.
If Markstrom is healthy, he should start. Nilsson giving up five power-play goals can’t be something Green wants to watch again.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
The winning lineup syndrome looks to be in full effect against the Canucks. Luca Sbisa, a former Canuck some may remember, is in the lineup and doing well?
Marc-Andre Fleury should be starting this one.
Vegas Golden Knights lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
  • Short memories will be needed for the Canucks as they lost both their preseason and the first meeting of the season against the Golden Knights in somewhat embarrassing fashion (9-4 VGK in the preseason, 5-2 VGK in the first meeting). Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser both scored back in November and a repeat performance combined with a win in Sin City would be a nice start to the weekend for everyone. Well, except Vegas.
  • February has been a good month for Vegas’ Reilly Smith. His 7G, 8A is good for 8th in league scoring for February. Five of those points came via the power play so he’ll need to be targeted. The unfortunate reality is that the Canucks PK is atrocious so Reilly may feast on them early and often.canuck
  • Henrik Sedin is the ultimate wingman on the road, which is ironic. He has tallied 21 assists away from Rogers Arena this season which is good for 9th overall.
  • Brock Boeser enjoys seeing the sights as well; with two more PPP, Boeser will be 3rd in the NHL for road power-play points. No doubt, Vegas will be targeting Boeser, but the great players find a way to make that meaningless.
  • Philip Holm looks set to make his NHL debut in Vegas. He’ll get a chance to start on the power play which, ahem, ahem, Brock Boeser had to “earn.” This isn’t something that normally would be possible, but there is a very good chance he scores in his first game. The odds are pretty good.
THE TWITTER TAKE
Hey, I’ll try anything once too! I tried Brussels sprouts for the first time last week, but you won’t see me doing that again. Can’t see Travis Green rolling this setup longer than tonight either.
#CanucksPPisbrusselsprouts
MY 94 CENTS
I am a little bummed I cannot be in Vegas to witness this one, but I have a feeling there will be many more opportunities. The Canucks are playing some yo-yo hockey lately with the results getting flipped every second night. Hopefully, most of the team has been to Vegas before and is ready to play. If not, the Canucks will be yet another statistic for the expansion franchise.
OVER / UNDER
Goalies needed to complete the game for Golden Knights (+/- 1.5)     The story may have gone away, but the Canucks could run up the score and get the privilege of seeing both Golden Knights goaltenders. Take the over.
Henrik Sedin goals (+/- 0.5)     For whatever reason, tonight is the night. Henrik gets his unicorn. Take the over.
The Pint is your home for all things game day. Come down for game day specials like $5 mugs of bud and bud light and get 20% off food if you’re a season ticket holders

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