Canucks Game Preview – Page 3

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

November 2, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks take on the San Jose Sharks tonight at the SAP Center in San Jose, in what promises to be an exciting Pacific Division showdown.

Season So Far

The Canucks enter the game with a 4-2-3 record t-4th in Pacific Division, looking to bounce back after two consecutive losses at home, latest a 6-0 defeat at hands of the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night.

The Sharks have struggled early on, sitting in 8th in the Pacific Division at 3-7-2 but enter game with 3-2 win against Chicago Blackhawks on Halloween, their 3rd consecutive win.

Team Stats Comparison

Head-to-Head

Vancouver has dominated this matchup recently, winning 12 of the last 13 games played.

Notably, the Canucks crushed the Sharks 10-1 in a previous encounter on November 2, 2023.

Expected Starting Goalies

Key Players and Storylines

Vancouver Noteable Players
- Brock Boeser has nine points (5-4-9) in nine games this season.
- J.T. Miller has nine points (4-5-9) in nine games this season.
- Quinn Hughes has eight points (2-6-8) in nine games this season.
- Kiefer Sherwood has been leading the NHL in hits and contributing offensively
- Conor Garland has been a super pest and contributed 3 goals and 4 assists so far this season
San Jose Noteable Players
- Mikael Granlund: He’s leading the Sharks in both points and assists. Granlund’s playmaking ability makes him a constant threat.
- Jake Walman: While he’s a defenseman, Walman is contributing offensively with a good number of assists. Keep an eye on his play at both ends of the ice.
- Tyler Toffoli: Toffoli is finding the net consistently and is a major offensive force for the Sharks.

Canucks Offense vs. Sharks Defense: The Canucks will look to exploit the Sharks’ porous defense, which is giving up an average of 3.83 goals and 32.1 shots against per game.
- Vancouver boasts offensive firepower with Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, Quinn Hughes, Kiefer Sherwood, and J.T. Miller leading the charge.
Missing Sharks Rookie: Unfortunately, rookie Macklin Celebrini is still recovering from a lower-body injury and will not be in the lineup.

Canucks 2024-25 Record After…

Prediction

Given Canucks recent dominance over San Jose in the last 13 games, and the Sharks’ defensive struggles this season, the Canucks are favored to win this game.

However, the Sharks have rediscovered winning, and hockey is a game of uncertainties, and San Jose will be eager to prove their doubters wrong with another win on home ice and continuation of their present undefeated streak.

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

October 30th, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks (4-1-3, t-3rd Pacific Division) host the New Jersey Devils (6-4-2, 1st Metropolitan Division) in an cross-conference contest tonight at Rogers Arena.

Early Season Matchup

This will be a statement game for both teams as each each club attempts to find their groove: a successful execution of game plan or system that has them climbing up their division, conference, and league.

The Canucks will want to re-establish their dominance at home and get back to winning after their loss on Monday night against Carolina at Rogers Arena.

The Devils snapped a 4-game losing streak coming off a 6-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, with Stefan Noesen scoring two goals at home and want to continue their winning ways on the road.

Home Ice Advantage

The Canucks will be looking to feed off the energy of their home crowd at Rogers Arena, especially in bucking the Devils recent dominance of winning 15 of the last 17 games against Vancouver.

The Canucks have a 1-0-3 record at home this season.

Offensive Firepower

Keep an eye on key players like Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser for the Canucks, and Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, Nico Hischier and Paul Cotter for the Devils.

Opportunity Knocks

For the Devils
- The Devils could see this as a prime opportunity to steal a win on the road against a potentially vulnerable Canucks team. Expect them to come out with aggressive forechecking and try to capitalize on any lingering frustration from the Canucks.
For the Canucks
- The previous loss might highlight the need for tighter defensive play. Look for the Canucks to be more aware in their own zone and try to limit the Devils’ scoring chances.
- Vancouver has only one loss in regulation play and have earned points in their last 5-games. They have been resilient and found ways to win and get points. Hope for the same.
- Quinn Hughes, their star defenseman, can control the pace of the game and contribute offensively. Tonight against the Devils and his brothers would be perfect.
- Kevin Lankinen, their key staring goalie is at the top of his game right now, with a 4-0-1 record, and is the main reason the Canucks have managed to move up their division as he has given them the support to be able to win.

Key Things to Watch

How the Canucks respond to the loss of Monday night: Will they come out flat or with renewed determination?
The Hughes brothers’ head-to-head battles: Can the Canucks contain Jack and Luke? Will Quinn be contained, unable to play a dominant game?
Which team can better capitalize on their opportunities? In a potentially tight game, converting chances will be crucial.
Vancouver has had trouble keeping the puck out of their net, evidenced by their recent overtime loss to Carolina. Canucks starting goalie Kevin Lankinen has done everything he can. What are his teammates going to do to keep High Danger scoring chances to a minimum?

Team Stats

Game Notes

Brock Boeser leads the Canucks with 5 goals and 9 points
J.T. Miller also has 9 points with 4 goals goals
Elias Pettersson has had a slow start with only 4 points with 1 goal as the first month of the season an end
Quinn Hughes, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, has 8 points with 6 assists
Hughes Bowl: This game is being dubbed the “Hughes Bowl” as it features three brothers playing against each other: Quinn (Canucks), Jack (Devils), and Luke (Devils). It’s only the second time all three brothers will face each other in an NHL game.
Pettersson’s Performance: Will Elias Pettersson continue racking up offensive numbers against the Devils? In his last four games against the Devils, Pettersson has 2 goals and 5 assists for a +/- of 0. The 5 games previously, he had 1 goal and no assists and a +/- of -5.
Devils’ Road Trip: The Devils are starting their Western Canada trip in Vancouver. How will they fare against a Canucks team with a strong home record?

Source: nhl.com, statuses.com