Vancouver Goes For 7th Straight Win In Calgary Tonight In Second Of Back-To-Back Games

Calgary Flames Mark Giordano battles with Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks during NHL hockey in Calgary, Alta., on Friday, February 19, 2016. Al Charest/Postmedia AL CHAREST / POSTMEDIA
Calgary Flames Mark Giordano battles with Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks during NHL hockey in Calgary, Alta., on Friday, February 19, 2016. Al Charest/Postmedia AL CHAREST / POSTMEDIA

canbangdpregm

andrewchernoff By Andrew Chernoff

Jan 7, 2017

Game Time: 7:00 PM PST
Location: Scotiabank Saddledome
TV: Sportsnet, CBC
Radio: TSN 1040

Vancouver (20-18-3=43 pts) play the second game of back-to-back games against Pacific division rivals, Calgary Flames (21-18-2=44 pts), this time at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Canucks have won six straight games, and have the best record in the NHL since Dec 28th, including the NHL best faceoff winning percentage, 56.2 percent, in that span; and the NHL best goals against average, 1.5 GAA, on their six game win streak.

The Canucks play the Flames in their 4th of five meetings this season; the Canucks visit the Scotiabank Saddledome tonight, while the season series concludes with the Canucks hosting the Flames at Rogers Arena on Feb. 18.

Vancouver is 4-6-1 in their last 10 games versus Calgary (2-3-1 in their last 6 meetings).

Markstrom Gets Start Against Calgary

Jacob Markstrom gets the start tonight against the Flames.

Markstrom is 8-8-2, with a 2.60 GAA, and a .913 Sv%; 3-6-1 in road games, with a 2.41 GAA, and a .922 Sv%.

 

 

Chris Tanev Out, Alex Biega In

Chris Tanev suffered an upper body injury last night in the first period against Calgary and will not play tonight. Alex Biega steps in tonight in his place in the lineup.

 

 

In the Canucks last game,  Vancouver extended their win streak to six games, with a 4-2 regulation win over Calgary at Rogers Arena.

Michael Chaput opened scoring for the Canucks with his first as a Vancouver Canucks at 10:49 of the 1st period tying the game at 1-1; Loui Eriksson gave Vancouver a 2-1 lead at 13:07 of the first period with his 9th goal of the season.

Markus Granlund made it 3-1 Canucks with his first of two goals in the game, and 8th of the season at 19:38 of the second period; in the third period, Markus Grandlund capped off the Vancouver scoring with his second of the game, 9th of the season, at 3:18.

Markus Granlund tied Canucks highs this season for most goals (2) and points (3) in a game; he also tied a career high for most goals and set a new high for most points.

 

Jack Skille picked up his 3rd assist of the season,; Alex Edler, with his 6th assist, Jayson Megna his 1st assist; and Nikita Tryamkin, his 4th assist, also helped the Canucks stay undefeated in their last six games.

Ryan Miller stopped 44 of 46 Calgary shots for his 12th win of the season to give Vancouver its 6th straight win.

Vancouver is 15-6-2 at home, tied for 4th best in the NHL, 4 points behind Pittsburgh; and 9-2-1 in their last 12 games at Rogers Arena, tied for 2nd in the NHL since Nov 24th, 2 points behind Pittsburgh.

Horvat Extend Points Streak Against Calgary

Bo Horvat extended his point streak: BO HORVAT (2-5=7 pts / 6 Games).

The Canucks will be trying to extend their win streak tonight, against the Flames, who are currently 4th in the Pacific division, 1 point ahead of 5th place Vancouver.

Canucks In Brief:

Record By Five Game Segment:

Game       1-5       6-10     11-15     16-20   21-25   26-30  31-35   36-40
Record    4-0-1     0-5-0     1-4-0      3-1-1      3-2-0     1-4-0    2-2-1     5-0-0
GF Ave      2.6        0.8         2.2          3.4          2.2        3.00      2.60       2.60
GA Ave     2.0        3.4         3.4          3.6          2.6        3.80      3.00        1.40
PP%         13.0       0.0         7.7         23.1        23.1        11.8       13.3         16.7
PK%        86.7       77.8      95.0        75.0        91.7        71.4      64.7         84.6

Game    41-45
Record    1-0-0
GF Ave    4.00
GA Ave    2.00
PP%         33,30
PK%         75.00

Vancouver’s goaltender tandem of Ryan Miller and Jacob Markstrom are 20th in the NHL, with a 2.81 GAA and a .907 SV%:

  • Jacob Markstrom is 8-8-2, with a 2.60 GAA (14th), and a .913 Sv%       (t-12th)*  * At least 20 GP
  • Ryan Miller is 12-10-1, with a 2.62 GAA (16th), and a .915 Sv% (13th)*

Leading scorers:

  • Bo Horvat (12-16=28 pts)
  • Henrik Sedin (9-17=26 pts)
  • Sven Baertschi (11-12=23)
  • Daniel Sedin (10-13=23 pts)
  • Brandon Sutter (10-10=20 pts)
  • Loui Eriksson (9-10=19 pts)

Canucks injured:

  • Derek Dorsett; 23 games missed
  • Philip Larsen; 15 games missed
  • Erik Gudbranson; 11 games missed
  • Jannik Hansen; 7 games missed
  • Alex Burrows; 1 game missed

Total Man Games Lost: 177

Points streaks:

  • BO HORVAT (2-5=7 pts / 6 Games)

Vancouver Special Teams:

  • 18 for 125: 14.4 percent on the power play overall (27th in the NHL)
  • 23 for 116: 80.2 percent on the penalty kill overall (21st in NHL)

Canucks have allowed 117 goals against (t-24th in NHL), and have scored 100 goals for (t-18th in NHL).

Canucks Notables:

  • The Canucks have opened the scoring 14 times this season and are 9-4-1 when scoring first. They are 11-14-2 when the opposition scores first.
  • The Canucks have earned at least one point in 12 of their last 15 home games (10-3-2).
  • The Canucks have earned 32 points at home which ranks them 4th in the NHL.
  • Chris Tanev out tonight due to injury. When Tanev returned from his previous injury, the Canucks were 8-2-1 with Tanev in the lineup.
  • After 39 games last season, the Canucks were 15-15-9, for 39 pts, good for a share of 3rd place in the Pacific division with Anaheim.
    • Faceoff win percentage was the worst in the NHL at 45.2 percent
      • This season, it is 52.3 percent, 5th best in the NHL
    • Power play was 16 percent successful, 28th in the NHL
      • This season, it is 14.2 percent, 26th in the NHL
    • Penalty kill was 78.9 percent successful, 22nd in the NHL
      • This season, it is 80 percent, t-21st in the NHL
    • The last 43 games of the season, Vancouver was 16-23-4, for 36 points, and finished out of the playoffs.
  • Through 41 games, Bo Horvat currently leads the team in goals (12) and points (28) and is second in assists (16). He is also on a 6-game point streak (2-5-7), his longest personal streak this season (the previous high was 5 games). During the 2016 calendar year, Horvat registered 55 points in 82 games.
  • Vancouver is t-2nd in the League with 13 wins in 1 goal games.
  • The Canucks are 2nd with 7 wins when trailing after the first period. They are t-2nd with 5 wins when trailing after the second period.
  • The Canucks win on Jan. 6/17 marked the single game shot differential (-33) in club history where they still recorded the win. The previous high of -31 took place on Dec. 13/84 (VAN 5 at MTL 4) (via Elias).

Flames In Brief:

Calgary in their last game, lost to the Canucks 4-2 at Rogers Arena, handing Vancouver their sixth consecutive win.

Michael Frolik scored both goals, Mikael Backland picked up two assists; and Brian Elliott made 9 saves in the Flames loss, who have won four of the past six games and 11 of the past 16. Elliott has won five of his last six starts.

Flames have 44 points and are in 4th place in the Pacific division 1 point ahead of Vancouver.

Calgary have the 19th best goaltending in the NHL, with Chad Johnson, Brian Elliott, with a 2.78 GAA, and .901 SV%.

Johnson is 13-8-1, with a 2.34 GAA, and a .920 SV%. Elliott is 8-10-1, with a 2.95 GAA, and a .889 SV%.

Calgary leading scorers:

  • Mikael Backlund (12-15=27 pts)
  • Johnny Gaudreau (10-16=26 pts)
  • * Matthew Tkachuk (7-17=24 pts)
  • Sean Monahan (10-12=22 pts)
  • Dougie Hamilton (6-16=22 pts)
  • * Rookie

Flames injured:

  • Ladislav Smid – 41 Games (Oct. 12 – Jan. 6) Neck
  • Troy Brouwer – 5 games (Dec. 27 – Jan. 6) Broken Finger

Total Man Games Lost: 87

Points streaks:

  • MATTHEW TKACHUK (1-8-9 / 8 Games)
  • MIKAEL BACKLUND (6-5-11 / 6 Games)
  • MARK GIORDANO (0-4-4 / 3 Games)

Calgary Special Teams:

  • 29 for 139: 20.9 percent on the power play overall (t-9th in the NHL)
  • 29 for 155: 81.3 percent on the penalty kill overall (17th in the NHL).

Flames have surrendered 115 goals (t-22th best in NHL), and have scored 109 goals for (t-13th in NHL).

Pregame Stats

Regular Season Game 42, Road Game 19

Records:
Vancouver: 20-18-3 (Road: 5-12-1)
Calgary: 21-18-2 (Home: 10-10-0)

Team      SF      SA        PP           PK       PIM    HITS     GF   GA
Van        1122   1264   18-125     23-116  380      732      100   117
Cal          1184   1162   29-139    29-155  487      784       109  115

Team       CF                CA                SCF           SCA       CF60%  CA60%   CF%
Van  2036(1604)  2206(1734) 1097(835) 1235(933)  49.5       53.5       48.1
Cal    2232(1691)  2221(1656)   1032(766) 1114(820)  53.8       52.7       50.5

Note: 5v5 stats in parenthesis for CF & CA, SCF & SCA ,                                                                CF60%, CA60% & CF% are 5v5
SCF=scoring chances for; SCA=scoring chances against.

Potential Canucks Lineup:

#22D. Sedin-#33H.Sedin-#46Megna
#21Ericksson-#20Sutter-#60Granlund
#47Baertschi-#53Horvat-#14Burrows
#50Gaunce-#45Chaput-#9Jack Skille

#23Edler-#51Stecher
#5Sbisa-#55Biega
#27Hutton-#88Tryamkin

#25Markstrom
#30Miller

Jason Botchford: Canucks go all in on Ryan Miller as the No. 1 goalie 

Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) replaces goaltender Ryan Miller (30) in an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers. AP PHOTO / JOEL AUERBACH

By Jason Botchford

Sept 19, 2016

PENTICTON — It never seems to take much to ignite a goalie controversy.

In Vancouver, even a week before training camp. Just name your highest-paid, most-experienced goalie the unquestioned starter and watch the city boil.

That’s what general manager Jim Benning did Monday, announcing Ryan Miller as the team’s No. 1. It was as surprising as it wasn’t.

From one angle, Miller is Benning’s guy, carefully plucked two years ago from the free-agent pool, and impressively well-compensated, to help the Canucks try to take a deep playoff run. It makes sense that the GM would lean toward making Miller his ride or die.

Also, Miller is experienced and proud, and is the type who would likely recoil at the mere mention of him backing someone up, even at 36 years old.

But, on the other side, is Jacob Markstrom. He is the obvious heir apparent. Not only is he 26 years old and seemingly ready for this, he has already looked great this month playing at the World Cup of Hockey.

Just last season he was in a 50-50 split. And, right now, he’s not.

“Miller is an experienced guy, he had a good year last year, he’s our No. 1 goalie,” Benning said. “He’s mentoring Jacob for at some point to take that position over.”

Pressed on what that means — can Miller play 60 or, heaven help us, 70 games? — Benning said: “I’m just saying going into the season, he’s our No. 1 goalie. I’ve been in other organizations where they’ve had good goalies and they’ve played 55 games. That will sort itself out. But going into the season, that’s the way we see it.”

Starting fifty-five games would be 67 per cent of the season and, theoretically, would leave Markstrom with 32, barring injury. Thirty-two games is what Markstrom played last year and that was in a season in which he didn’t play his first game until Nov. 10.

marky607573540_230262606
Evgeni Malkin of Team Russia tries to get off a shot against Jacob Markstrom.

Any scenario where Markstrom doesn’t play at least 40-45 games is a risky one, and not just because it sure has seemed like Miller is much better when he’s not overworked. More importantly, however, is what this would mean for the end of the season. If there isn’t a pretty even split, would you really know whether Markstrom is capable of being the main guy, one who can effectively handle 60 games?

Because that’s what he’s going to need to do next year, unless the Canucks are planning on re-signing Miller or bringing in another prominent veteran.

Along with his plans for his goalies, Benning said the Canucks will carry eight defencemen this year, and opened the door to the possibility that someone in Penticton could earn their way on the team.

That’s not, however, likely to be Olli Juolevi, who played a good first game here before struggling in his second. Benning said it’s easier to put a young forward in than a young defenceman.

“They don’t have the defensive responsibilities defenceman and goalies have,” he said. “I think he (Juolevi) needs to get physically stronger, but he’s only an 18-year-old.”

Troy Stecher, who is 22 and was arguably the best Canucks defenceman here, is one candidate to get a serious look in training camp and beyond.

“We think, going forward, he’s going to get games with us this year,” Benning said.

Could he win a job?

“Yeah. That’s why we go through training camp,” Benning said. “With Ben Hutton last year, he just kept getting better and better every day through camp and through the exhibition games. Troy is going to be the same way.”

The Canucks seem pretty locked on a third pairing of Philip Larsen and Luca Sbisa, which would make Nikita Tryamkin the seventh defenceman.

The battle for that eighth spot would include Andrey Pedan, Alex Biega and you’d have to include Jordan Subban, who, offensively, had a promising rookie season in Utica. In Penticton, Subban was hit-and-miss. He had some good moments, like a great goal he scored Sunday. But he was also partly responsible for a giveaway that led to a breakaway goal against. It didn’t help that he took an unsportsmanlike penalty for beaking at the Calgary bench.

“For him, it’s defending at his size,” Benning said. “For a guy at his size, it’s angles, it’s stick position and it’s stick-on-stick. Those are all things if he’s going to play at the next level, he’s going to have to be real good at.”

Source: http://vancouversun.com