NEXT GAME VS. SAN JOSE SHARKS
Tonight: 7:30 p.m. | TV: Sportsnet Pacific | Radio: Sportsnet 650 AM
HEADING INTO TONIGHT’S GAME
Revitalized Canucks set to face slumping Sharks
Amid their own recent COVID-19 concerns, as the NHL grapples with player availability because of the virus, the Vancouver Canucks continue to thrive under new coach Bruce Boudreau.
Meanwhile, a lack of offence remains an issue for the struggling San Jose Sharks.
The visiting Canucks can remain undefeated with Boudreau in charge by extending their season-high winning streak to six games tonight against the Sharks.
Vancouver went 6-14-2 over its first 22 games before winning seven of the last eight. After firing coach Travis Green – plus general manager Jim Benning — and installing the veteran Boudreau behind the bench on Dec. 5, the Canucks have totalled 16 goals during their 5-0-0 stretch.
After rallying from a 3-0 first-period deficit to win 4-3 over Columbus on Tuesday, Vancouver tries to win six straight for the first time since a seven-game run from Dec. 19, 2019-Jan. 4, 2020.
“I just think we believe in each other,” said Bo , whose second goal Tuesday broke a three-all tie with 58.8 seconds remaining in regulation. “A lot of guys are playing good hockey.
“Obviously, there’s just new life, a new energy in the room and it’s showing on the ice.”
Perhaps the only thing that can derail the Canucks at the moment is the lingering pandemic. Vancouver defensemen Luke Schenn and Brad Hunt, as well as forward Juho Lammikko, were placed in league protocol before Tuesday’s contest, and fellow defenceman Tucker Poolman was taken out early in the first period for the same reason.
“It’s scary,” said Horvat, who has three goals and four assists over the last eight games. “And I mean, it just feels like deja vu all over again.
“Obviously, the safety of the players is what comes first, and so they’ve got to take priority.”
The Sharks have no current COVID issues after dealing with issues in late October, but have lost four of six following a three-game winning streak from Nov. 28-Dec. 2.
In a game in which all the scoring came in the third period, San Jose fell 3-1 to Seattle on Tuesday. Logan Couture scored his ninth goal for the Sharks, who have recorded two or fewer goals 10 times while splitting their last 14 contests.
The Canucks have won four of the last five meetings with San Jose, but this will be the first game between the teams since Vancouver’s 5-2 road victory on Jan. 29, 2020.
– Field Level Media
TALKING POINTS
• OK, can they make it a half-dozen? Bruce Boudreau’s start as Vancouver Canucks head coach has been magical.
• The Sharks are very much still a team in transition. They have some young players coming along, but their leading scorers remain very familiar names. They opened the season with a four-game winning streak but since then they’ve never won or lost more than three games in a row.
• The Sharks have taken just 76 penalties all season, the fourth fewest in the NHL. They have a great penalty kill, too, so good luck trying to punish them on the power play.
