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CANUCKS ARMY GDT# 61 – CANUCKS VS. FLAMES
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Always90four
Feb 6, 2016, 14:54 ESTUpdated:
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If you’re a diehard hockey fan, you may have watched the rest of the games today with Ron Maclean telling you about stories of the Kamloops Blazers and I mean, who cares about Kamloops? The Canucks face their rivals, the Calgary Flames and will be looking to bounce back from a shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. The Flames lost to them as well last night so we have something in common. A shameful connection indeed.
BROADCAST INFO
TV: CBC (HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA)
RADIO: TSN 1040
PUCK DROP: 7:00 PM
LINE COMBOS
So by now, you know I’m bang on with my roster announcements… but this time Dan Hamhuis really WILL play tonight. Jake Virtanen should slot back in as well so maybe Derek Dorsett sits? We’re clearly seeing a progression of that second line and wouldn’t that be something to see them overtake the Sedins? If it does, the transformation will be complete; that and Radim Vrbata probably gets traded.
Ryan Miller between the pipes unless something you know, happens.
Vancouver Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
Calgary Flames lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
We know the regulars. We know the guys trying to get it done but looking up and down this lineup and the Flames are straight up bleh! A few bright spots with Johnny Hockey, Sean Monahan and – of course – 19-year-old Sam Bennett but after that, it’s weak. Dougie Hamilton made himself known yesterday giving up the GWG. Misery loves company so welcome to town Calgary!
Jonas Hiller should start after Kari Ramo played last night.
REASONS TO WATCH THIS GAME
  • 1-2-1-1 in their last 5 games, the Canucks January push is getting buried pretty quickly. Five points up on last place is still very real, so if Auston Matthews ISN’T in their plans, a win tonight would be a good idea.
  • Linden Vey is making the most of his time on his current stint and is actually making something with Emerson Etem and Alex Burrows. With a combined PDO of 104.2 and GF% of 60 since January 1, there’s reason for optimism there. Maybe don’t look at their 5v5 CF though.
  • Jannik Hansen hasn’t really done much since his hatty against the Penguins. With Henrik and Daniel back around him, it shouldn’t be long before the Great Dane is back poppin shots.
  • Radim Vrbata needs to up his trade value before the deadline and getting that shot off would be a nice start. I touched on how the Canucks would be wise to shoot more in an article on Friday.
  • Calgary has lost 4 of their last 5 games and are desperately trying to win the race to Matthews. Sadly, the Flames have a better chance this year; they just aren’t fooling anyone this season. Not me anyways. 
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
MY TAKE
The Canucks need to beat the Flames, not for the points, not to stay away from last place but because losing to Calgary is not something we want to experience. Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi should have a day so I’m taking Vancouver in regulation.
WHAT’D I MISS?
Not so much as to what I missed, but what the Canucks continue to miss… shots. They are in the bottom five in the league for shots per game and when you don’t shoot, you don’t score. It correlates. Too many set up chances, just start gripping and ripping Happy Gilmore style. What do you have to lose?

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