The Big D
Straight from whatever that was in Chicago, the Canucks find themselves in Dallas where last week we saw three consecutive fights off the draw. It’s the first game of a back-to-back that puts the Canucks in Nashville tomorrow night. This is where the schedule gets really compressed.
Matchup: Vancouver Canucks (8 – 3 – 4) v Dallas Stars (8 – 7– 1)
Venue: American Airline Center
Time: 5:30 pm
TV/Radio: Sportsnet, Team 1040
Game Notes
There’s a rivalry brewing between Dallas and Vancouver. Owners Francesco Aquilini and Tom Gaglardi once went to court over ownership of the Canucks so it’s safe to say the two have a healthy dislike for each other.
It’s bled onto the ice since Gaglardi took over the Stars in 2012 where every game against Dallas has a chip and an edge. Imagine dreaming your entire life of owning the Canucks and having to settle for the Dallas Stars.
What to Watch: Dallas
The Stars are trying to find some consistency to make a run at a playoff spot.
They beat Vancouver on Henrik Sedin/Ryan Kesler/Aaron Rome day but that win was wrapped around two losses to the Calgary Flames, including an ugly third period collapse on Sunday that saw a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes turn into a 4-3 loss.
Kari Lehtonen, who left the game in Vancouver with an injury, could possibly return tonight.
If not, Richard Bachman will get the start and the Guess Who jokes will continue.
There’s a rivalry brewing
Line-up
- Brenden Morrow-Jamie Benn-Jaromir Jagr
- Reilly Smith-Derek Roy-Loui Eriksson
- Antoine Roussel-Cody Eakin-Michael Ryder
- Eric Nystrom-Vern Fiddler-Ryan Garbutt
- Stephane Robidas-Brenden Dilion
- Alex Goligoski-Aaron Rome
- Philip Larsen-Jordie Benn
- Richard Bachman
What to Watch: Vancouver
The Canucks turned in their winning streak for a three game losing streak, blowing leads and looking inept defensively. Large parts of the game against Chicago were frustrating, thanks in no small part to the fact that the Blackhawks look like they’re unstoppable.
The Canucks should fare better against opponents like Dallas but its clear that Chicago has set the bar to win the West and the Canucks have to be wondering if they can manage to take that team down in a seven game series.
The fact that the Canucks managed one of the most improbable recent comebacks means that the gap isn’t that far.
Could the return for Luongo put the Canucks on the Blackhawks’ level?
Line Up
- Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Alex Burrows
- David Booth-Ryan Kesler-Chris Higgins
- Mason Raymond-Jordan Schroeder-Jannik Hansen
- Aaron Volpatti-Maxim Lapierre-Zack Kassian
- Dan Hamhuis-Alex Edler
- Jason Garrison-Kevin Bieksa
- Keith Ballard-Chris Tanev
- Cory Schneider
Injuries
For Dallas, Kari Lehtonen is still battling the groin injury he picked up last week while Trevor Daley is battling an upper-body injury.
The Canucks are healthy, but Jannik Hansen is suspended one game for not giving a ****.
Prediction
Dale Weise drops the gloves with someone, Alex Edler bombs one home on the point and Alain Vigneault is disappointed with Vern Fiddler’s new knock-knock joke.
Game Day Tweets
HISTORY MADE: Blackhawks (13-0-3) beat Canucks, 4-3 & tie NHL record for consecutive games to start a season recording at least 1 point.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 20, 2013
ICYMI Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks: Unlikely earnings of a single point- #Vancouver #Canucks nwsb.co/gn46t
— Northwest SportsBeat (@NWSportsBeat) February 21, 2013
From morning oatmeal to night madness at the Madhouse, Tuesday was a wild day for the #Canucks. bit.ly/134rHed
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 21, 2013
Jannik Hansen suspended one game for his hit on #Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. #Canucks
— Sportsnet Pacific (@SNETPacific) February 21, 2013
Zack Kassian wanted something sweet to draw. “Draw Bieksa…” Challenge accepted. bit.ly/YAenZj
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 20, 2013
CLICK HERE CHECK OUT THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS CLUBHOUSE TODAY ON NWSB!
About Richard Hodges
