No rest for the weary
The compressed March schedule is officially underway, closing out a four game in six night homestand that’s seen just one win.
Yes, the Canucks are in a tailspin, having lost 11 of their last 16.
Their latest opportunity to bag two points comes tonight with the St Louis Blues in town. The Blues are two points ahead of the Canucks in the packed playoff race. Considering this is a year where a couple of points could make the difference between leading the division and finishing in 10th, every game counts from here on in.
Matchup: Vancouver Canucks (13 – 9– 6) v St Louis Blues (16– 10–2)
Venue: Rogers Arena
Time: 7:00 pm PT
TV/Radio: TSN, Team 1040
Game Notes
Last time these two teams met, the Blues won 4-3 in a shootout. You may also remember Jake Allen’s beautiful save off Alex Burrows in overtime that allowed TJ Oshie the opportunity to completely freeze Roberto Luongo in the shootout.
One month later, the Blues are still relying on the rookie goaltender who has won eight of his nine starts this year and picked up his first career shutout last week. It’s not a good omen for the Canucks breaking their scoring slump.
What to watch: St Louis
The Blues are looking for their fourth straight win. Chris Stewart has been red hot with 14 points over seven games, including the overtime winner over the Ducks on Saturday.
The Blues will get a boost tonight when Andy McDonald returns after missing four games.
The powerplay finally found the back of the net Monday. Hey that’s a start right?
Line-up
- Alex Steen-David Backes-Chris Steward
- Andy McDonald-Patrik Berglund-David Perron
- Jaden Schwartz-Vladimir Sobotka-Vladimir Tarasenko
- Chris Porter-Scott Nichol-Ryan Reaves
- Barret Jackman-Kevin Shattenkirk
- Wade Redden-Ian Cole
- Kris Russell-Roman Polak
- Jake Allen
What to watch: Vancouver
Watch everything, I guess. With 20 games left in the season, the Canucks have been unable to separate themselves from the pack in the Western Conference like they have previous years.
It means they’ll be fighting for the division and a playoff spot at the end of the season for the first time in two years.
The powerplay finally found the back of the net Monday, but it was the lone goal of the game and needs to avoid being a blip on the next goalless drought.
The trade deadline, meanwhile, is only a week and a bit away and Elliotte Friedman has mentioned the Canucks are looking at centres. Unfortunately, he also mentions the market is quite stagnant.
Line-up
- Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Alex Burrows
- Mason Raymond-Andrew Ebbett-Jannik Hansen
- Chris Higgins-Maxim Lapierre-Steve Pinizzotto
- Zack Kassian-Jordan Schroeder-Dale Weise
- Alex Edler-Kevin Bieksa
- Dan Hamhuis-Jason Garrison
- Chris Tanev-Keith Ballard
- Cory Schneider
Injuries
The Blues will miss TJ Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo while the Canucks will miss David Booth but get back Zack Kassian.
Prediction
I’m tired of making these predictions…I’m always wrong, I’m such a blatant homer that 9/10 I pick the Nucks. So, tonight I predict something involving a shootout.
Gameday Tweets
Schneider starts, Kassian returns. It’s go time. v.canucks.com/ZR0F3s #Canucks
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) March 19, 2013
Allen was in net when the #Blues won their last visit to #Vancouver 4-3 in a shootout on Feb. 17. #canucks
— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) March 19, 2013
Kesler still on crutches? I guess that means the four is out on his 4-6 week rehab
— Jason Botchford (@botchford) March 19, 2013
After tonight, 11 of #Canucks next 13 are against teams currently below playoff bar.
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) March 19, 2013
#Canucks are back at it tonight vs. the #Blues – Matchup/Stats Insight nwsb.co/ke7m- + #NWSB Gameday Preview nwsb.co/211vc
— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) March 19, 2013
ICYMI The #Vancouver #Canucks are some kinda blunderful nwsportsbeat.com/canucks/vancou… via @vancan19
— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) March 19, 2013
According to @thesportmarket, #Canucks new AHL affiliate could be in Abbotsford. Any thoughts on this development? twitter.com/canuckshockey/…
— Canucks Hockey Blog (@canuckshockey) March 19, 2013
#Canucks face the Blues in @rogersarena tonight at 7PM. Time to turn this back-to-back series around. v.canucks.com/ZHnc4v
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) March 19, 2013
Reality is setting in MT @jasonpht What’s it say about Canucks’ situation nearing deadline that I checked 2 see if A. Aucoin’s playing well?
— Josh Hall (@vancan19) March 19, 2013
Please tell me I’m not the only one not in favor of moving Kesler to the wing.
— Mitch(@MitchEmDee) March 19, 2013
The #Blues have five wins in their last six games thanks to rookie goaltender Jake Allen, who is 5-0-0 since being recalled #canucks
— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) March 19, 2013
Henrik now has as many goals as Daniel: 8 apiece. #Canucks
— Brad Ziemer (@BradZiemer) March 19, 2013
CLICK HERE CHECK OUT THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS CLUBHOUSE TODAY ON NWSB!
About Richard Hodges
