By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

October 26, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks (3-1-2, 5th Pacific Division) take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (3-4-1, 6th Metropolitan Division) at Rogers Arena tonight in the first game of a 3-game home stand.

Last Games

Vancouver plays their first game at home since returning from a 4-game road trip that ended in Chicago on October 22 with their third consecutive win in a 6-3 victory, after wins over the Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers.

Pittsburgh is playing the second of back-to-back games after playing in Edmonton last night, a 4-0 loss to the Oilers. They previously lost to Calgary on October 22, a 4-3 shootout loss, and are looking to bounce back with a win after four straight losses.

Key Matchups:

• Tristan Jarry/Joel Blomqvist vs. Kevin Lankinen/ArtursSilovs:
  • Goaltending will be a crucial factor.
    • Blomqvist made 46 saves for the Penguins against the Oilers last night, without any offensive help
    • Lankinen has been solid for the Canucks, boasting a 1.70 GAA and .941 save percentage.
• Sidney Crosby vs. Elias Pettersson:
  • Two of the league’s top centers will go head-to-head.
    • Pettersson (0-3=3, +/- of +1) in 9 games played and has yet to score this season. So he’ll be eager to break through against a struggling Penguins defense. Of course, he’s been expected to break out every game this season.
    • Crosby (1-6=7) has a +/- of -6 in 9 games played and has played sub-par for Sydney Crosby.
• Penguins’ Power Play vs. Canucks’ Penalty Kill:
  • The Penguins power play has been clicking at a decent rate (22.2%), while the Canucks penalty kill has been effective (81%). Special teams could be a deciding factor.

Factors to Consider

• Fatigue: The Penguins are playing on consecutive nights, which could be a factor, especially against a well-rested Canucks team.
• Home Ice Advantage: The Canucks will have the support of their home crowd.
• Canucks’ Momentum: Vancouver is on a winning streak and playing with confidence.
• Penguins Opposite of Positive Momentum: Pittsburgh has lost 4-games in a row (3-0-1).

VANCOUVER 2024.25 RECORD WHEN…

• Score 4+ Goals: 1-0-1

• Score 3 Goals or Less: 2-1-1

• Allow 4+ Goals: 0-1-1

• Allow 3 Goals or Less: 3-0-1

• Scoring First: 3-0-2

• Allowing First Goal: 0-1-0

• On 0 Days Rest: 0-0-0

• On 1 Day Rest: 2-0-1

• On 2 Days Rest: 1-0-0

• On 3+ Days Rest: 0-1-1

• Score a PPG: 1-1-1

• Give up a PPG: 1-0-2

• 25 or More Shots on Goal: 3-1-1

• Less than 25 shots: 0-0-1

Most Likely To Win

The Canucks appear to have the edge in this matchup, given their recent form, strong goaltending, and the home-ice advantage.

However, the Penguins have the talent to turn things around, and with players like Crosby and Malkin, they can never be counted out.

Final Thoughts

It promises to be an interesting game, as Pittsburgh did little to support their starting goalie against Edmonton, and the Penguins coaching staff is looking for a complete all in,  turnaround effort; spirit filled, intense, complete in-the-game attitude.

Canucks are hereby warned to expect to play a team where the potential of a 5th straight loss is not an option.

“By hook or by crook” by any means necessary, the Penguins are expected to answer the game bell with a different mindset or expect to go home lossers for a 5th straight game. A result that would have been unheard of during the Stanley Cup Championship days.