THE INTRO
The Canucks will play their final game of 2019 when they travel to the city that shaped their stadium after a horse saddle. Vancouver takes on the Calgary Flames and you should be excited. Winners of four-straight, the Canucks will try and push their streak to five against a tough Flames squad.
If the Canucks want to be successful, they’ll need to limit the number of shots they face after giving Jacob Markstrom 51 opportunities to save the puck last night. Elias Pettersson will again be on display and he’s suggested the lacrosse goal may appear in a game sooner than later. Wouldn’t that be nice? A heated Pacific Division tilt is hours away, but the Flames are on mountain time so they’re not really part of the Pacific. Canucks should get the W by default.
Let’s Do This!™
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
The odds for tonight’s game are: (VAN +170/ CGY -200) courtesy of OddsShark.com
TV / RADIO / PUCK DROP
SNET / SN 650 / 6:30 PM
LINEUPS
Although Loui Eriksson was in the mix last night, Zack MacEwen may get back into the lineup tonight. A big body that can bang around a bit more than Eriksson. The Canucks have been bodied by a bunch of teams this season and despite the skill they possess, they still need some physicality to get them over the hump.
Jordie Benn should be allowed back in place of namely Tyler Myers but that isn’t going to happen.
Thatcher Demko SHOULD get the start tonight after Jacob Markstrom went toe-to-toe against the Kings in Vancouver one night ago.
Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
LWCRWForwards

J.T. MILLER
Rating: 75.9#31 LW

ELIAS PETTERSSON
Rating: 79.7#11 C

BROCK BOESER
Rating: 76.1#16 RW
FL1 Rating
Rating: 77.23#9 FL1

TANNER PEARSON
Rating: 72.3#74 LW

BO HORVAT
Rating: 74.2#53 C

LOUI ERIKSSON
Rating: 70.0#114 RW
FL2 Rating
Rating: 72.17#26 FL2

ANTOINE ROUSSEL
Rating: 71.8#85 LW

ADAM GAUDETTE
Rating: 70.4#152 C

JAKE VIRTANEN
Rating: 72.2#72 RW
FL3 Rating
Rating: 71.47#19 FL3

TIM SCHALLER
Rating: 68.7#134 LW

JAY BEAGLE
Rating: 68.4#187 C

TYLER MOTTE
Rating: 69.0#126 RW
FL4 Rating
Rating: 68.68#31 FL4
DEFENSIVE PAIRINGSDefense

QUINN HUGHES
Rating: 74.8#24 LD

CHRIS TANEV
Rating: 72.3#65 RD
DL1 Rating
Rating: 73.53#21 DL1

ALEXANDER EDLER
Rating: 75.4#18 LD

TROY STECHER
Rating: 71.2#93 RD
DL2 Rating
Rating: 73.33#16 DL2

OSCAR FANTENBERG
Rating: 72.0#79 LD

TYLER MYERS
Rating: 73.6#39 RD
DL3 Rating
Rating: 72.80#12 DL3
Calgary isn’t expected to have any changes to their lineup.
Big Save Dave Rittich should start again after a monster 5-1 over Edmonton on Friday.
Flames lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
LWCRWForwards

JOHNNY GAUDREAU
Rating: 75.5#24 LW

SEAN MONAHAN
Rating: 75.1#39 C

MIKAEL BACKLUND
Rating: 72.7#90 RW
FL1 Rating
Rating: 74.45#25 FL1

MATTHEW TKACHUK
Rating: 77.9#11 LW

ELIAS LINDHOLM
Rating: 75.5#35 C

ANDREW MANGIAPANE
Rating: 71.4#88 RW
FL2 Rating
Rating: 74.92#10 FL2

MILAN LUCIC
Rating: 69.8#122 LW

DEREK RYAN
Rating: 72.1#101 C

DILLON DUBE
Rating: 71.0#98 RW
FL3 Rating
Rating: 70.99#24 FL3

SAM BENNETT
Rating: 71.4#92 LW

MARK JANKOWSKI
Rating: 70.0#163 C

MICHAEL FROLIK
Rating: 73.0#56 RW
FL4 Rating
Rating: 71.45#10 FL4
DEFENSIVE PAIRINGSDefense

MARK GIORDANO
Rating: 77.3#7 LD

T.J. BRODIE
Rating: 74.3#28 RD
DL1 Rating
Rating: 75.77#9 DL1

NOAH HANIFIN
Rating: 73.3#50 LD

TRAVIS HAMONIC
Rating: 73.9#32 RD
DL2 Rating
Rating: 73.62#10 DL2

OLIVER KYLINGTON
Rating: 70.8#106 LD

RASMUS ANDERSSON
Rating: 72.8#52 RD
DL3 Rating
Rating: 71.83#20 DL3
GAME NOTES AND A STAT OR TWO
  • The Canucks dropped the season opener to the Flames 3-0 and are currently in a mini-slump against Calgary. Their last victory was in February via the shootout, a win meaningless to anyone now. Vancouver has a few things going for them right now, namely goaltending and the elite play of Elias Pettersson.
  • Calgary hasn’t been in the giving mood on the PK in their last five games against the Canucks. Vancouver is a combined 4/23, approximately 17%. Not good. The Canucks were shutout on the PP for the first time in six games after their victory over LA. With at least one goal on the man-advantage prior to that game in each of the five, expect the Canucks to get back to business in that category tonight.
  • Quinn Hughes leads all rookies in PPP with 15. He’s tied with Cale Makar with two power-play goals. He isn’t the front runner for the Calder quite yet, but he’s trending that way.
  • Scoring in the first period is the Canucks strong suit. They currently sit at 42 GF in the first, five back of Colorado for first. You’ll be happy to know that the Flames sit dead-last with 24. Will the Canucks put up a five-spot in the first to be tied for the league-lead? It’s been a weird week, try me.
  • Crowded ice isn’t either team’s preference this season. Both the Canucks and Flames have allowed seven goals apiece at 6 on 5. Late goals are mostly to blame. Calgary also has allowed the most goals in the 5v4 category. It’s a weird game where the Canucks might have a chance to ruffle a few feathers.
#CANUCKSTWITTER
Hey Black Eyed Peas, we found the love:
A week ago, did this idea exist? I suppose it could have anyway but things are brighter when the sky isn’t currently falling.
MY 94 CENTS
I like the Canucks chances tonight. I don’t love them because the Flames always seem to spoil the party. The Canucks are going to need a big game from their stars and their goaltending. All eyes will be on the backend from here on in.
Another divisional battle with a huge two points up for grabs.
If this is a potential playoff team, Vancouver is going to need some help anywhere they can find it. Bo couldn’t score in Vancouver last game so he’ll most likely pot one tonight.
Tim Schaller scores tonight, too!
AND ANOTHER THING…