canucks game day preview – CanucksBanter

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

December 8th, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks and Tampa Bay Lightning will face off at Rogers Arena in an early afternoon matinee at 1 pm PST today.

Last Games

The Canucks are coming off a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday in which they scored five unanswered goals in the contest, while the Lightning are looking to add another win after defeating the San Jose Sharks 8-1 on Thursday night at home.

Season Records

The Canucks are currently 14-7-4, 3rd in the Pacific Division, with a .640 P% on the season; while the Lightning are 13-9-2, 4rth in the Atlantic Division, with a .583 P%.

Team Stats In Brief

Game 411

The Lightning were 2-3-1 on the road in November and begin a 4-game road trip this afternoon against Vancouver, who are 3-4-0 on home since November 1, and are playing the 2nd game of a 6-game homestand at Rogers Arena.

This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Canucks lost to the Lightning in Tampa Bay on November 15, 4-1.

Canucks have shown resilience and consistency. Their offensive strength, led by key players, has been pivotal in their success thus far. Look for their top lines to capitalize on home ice and maintain momentum from previous games.

The Lightning have faced some inconsistencies, like all NHL teams have this season. Their offense, known for its scoring capabilities led by established stars, will be tested against the Canucks’ defensive scheme.

Key Players

Vancouver
- The Canucks are led by:
  - Quinn Hughes with 6 goals, 31 points, +19
  - Elias Pettersson who has 24 points, 7 goals, 33 blocks, 32 hits
  - Conor Garland, 8 goals, 23 points
  - Jake DeBrusk, 12 goals, 21 points, and +6
  - Pius Suter, 11 goals, 16 points
  - Brock Boeser, 7 goals, 16 points
  - Kiefer Sherwood, 7 goals, 13 points, +6, 153 hits
  - Teddy Blueger, 4 goals, 11 points, 14 blocks, 35 hits
  - Goalie Kevin Lankinen, 13-3-3, 2.82 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO

Tampa Bay
- The Lightning are led by:
  - Nikita Kucherov, who has 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists)
  - Brandon Hagel, 12 goals, 31 points
  - Brayden Point, 16 goals, 25 points
  - Jake Guentzel, 11 goals, 24 points
  - Anthony Cirelli, 11 goals, 24 points
  - Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, 11-8-1, 2.42 GAA, .909 SV%, 2 SO

Means To An End

Canucks

Vancouver needs to focus on maintaining puck possession and executing quick transitions.

If they have the puck, the Lightning don’t, and they need to develop odd man rushes and make ways to get in front of the net to establish sustained pressure and action on the Lightning goalie.

Utilizing their home crowd and capitalizing on special teams could be a significant advantage, one that complements their 5-on-5 play, especially the power play.

Recent analytics indicate that the Canucks rank third overall in the NHL in 5v5 expected goals against per 60 minutes, suggesting a strong defensive game that may pause the need for significant upgrades on defense, even amid ongoing trade discussions with the injured Filip Hronek unavailable.

Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay will be on the offensive, utilizing their scoring and playmaking talent. They should not underestimate Vancouver, as they can score in bunches as they did against the Blue Jackets with five unanswered goals.

Tightening their defensive play to minimize scoring chances from the Canucks is a must if the Lightning are going to win.

A disciplined game with fewer penalties for Tampa will be vital, as the Canucks have power play depth that can surprise and strike if not respected.

Prediction

This game is expected to be a close one, as both teams are closely matched and able to strike quickly and often if either team is too relaxed or inconsistent.

The Canucks have a slight edge in home ice advantage, and the last change but the Lightning have a more experienced team.

The outcome of this game could go either way, for example:

The Canucks are 4-5-3 at home this season.
The Lightning are 5-5-1 on the road this season.
The Canucks are 3-1-1 in their last five games.
The Lightning are 3-2-0 in their last five games.
The Canucks are averaging 3.08 goals per game at home
The Lightning are averaging 4.00 goals per game on the road
The Canucks are allowing 3.83 goals per game at home
The Lightning are allowing 4.00 goals per game on the road
The Canucks are averaging 26 shots per game at home
The Lightning are averaging 29 shots per game on the road

In conclusion

The game may come down to special teams play; and/or, the performances of the starting goaltenders.

Expect a highly contested game with opportunities on both sides.

A close match can be anticipated, based on the recent play of both teams and home advantage for the Canucks.

GAME ON!

Source: nhl.com, statmuse.com, naturalstattrick.com

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

December 6, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks are home against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at Rogers Arena to begin their second 6-game homestand of the season.

The game comes after the Canucks successful completion of a 6-game road trip, which ended on Tuesday night with a record of 4-1-1.

Vancouver hopes to carry that momentum into their homestand, starting tonight against the Blue Jackets, and improve on their first 6-game homestand in November that saw two wins and four losses.

Columbus enters the game on the back end of back-to-back games having played last night and should be a little tired for the rested Canucks.

Current Records

The Canucks are currently tied for 4rth place in the Pacific Division with a record of 13-7-4, 30 points, .625 points percentage (P%).

The Blue Jackets are currently in 7th place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 11-11-3, 25 points, .500 Points Percentage (P%).

Last Games

The Canucks are coming off a 3-2 OT loss to the Minnesota Wild on December 3rd.

The Blue Jackets enter the game on the backend of back-to-back games, having lost to the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place last night 6-3, their second consecutive loss on their 5-game road trip.

Canucks 411

Key Players for the Canucks:
- Quinn Hughes: 6 goals, 29 points
- Elias Pettersson: 7 goals, 23 points
- Conor Garland: 8 goals, 22 points
- Jake DeBrusk: 11 goals, 20 points
- Kiefer Sherwood: 6 goals, 12 points; 150 hits
- Goalie Kevin Lankinen: 12-3-3, 2.66 GA, .906 SV%, 2 SO
The Canucks have won four of their last six games.
The Canucks are 3-5-3 at home this season. They are 2-5-0 in their last 7 games at Rogers Arena.
The Canucks have scored an average of 3.25 goals per game overall this season.
Vancouver has averaged 2.91 goals per game at home this season and 4.00 goals against.

Blue Jackets 411

The Blue Jackets have lost four of their last five games.
The Blue Jackets are 3-8-2 on the road this season.
The Blue Jackets have allowed an average of 4.00 goals per game on the road this this season.
Columbus has averaged 2.69 goals for on the road this season.
Key players for the Blue Jackets:
- Zach Werenski: 8 goals, 27 points, +11
- Kirill Marchenko: 10 goals, 24 points, +14
- Sean Monahan: 8 goals, 22 points, +11
- Mathieu Olivier: 84 hits
- Goalie Elvis Merzlikins: 8-6-2, 3.00 GAA, .894 SV%, 1 SO

Team Stats

Prediction

The Canucks may be favored to win but if they do, it won’t be an easy win. They will have to rise above mediocrity on home ice.

I expect the Blue Jackets to be up for this game like a dog after a bone.

After the loss to the Oilers, the Blue Jackets, I am expecting them to play tighter defensively believing the Canucks record at home is truly indicative of how they are playing at Rogers Arena, until proven differently.

Offensively, the Canucks and Columbus match up well but overall, the Blue Jackets love to take the body as their roster indicates with many players with tens of hits.

Vancouver can not take Columbus lightly; to do so would be to underestimate their tenacity and ability to go toe-to-toe with them, both physically and in scoring.

The above being said, the Canucks have been playing well lately, and they should be able to take advantage of home-ice, and the last change.

“Should be able to” is easy to say.

The last 6-game homestand was embarrassing, and an example of how fleeting and elusive that so-called “home” advantage can be, without it being “earned.”

Every Vancouver player needs to look at themselves and each other, hit the ice and convince the hockey world that they are not a “one trick pony” only showing up with their best hockey on the road, away from Rogers Arena and the home fans.

The Canucks can not claim to be better than any of the teams on this homestand. Excuses are for losers. Prove it. Winning is the proof. Not talk. Not belief.

Enough is enough.

The time is now to show the fans and team supporters alike on the Lower Mainland and the rest of British Columbia that each player on the team are ready to man up and play like they are possessed from the first puck drop to the last. Just like Conor Garland.

GAME ON!