Motown
The Vancouver Canucks wrap up their four game road trip with an afternoon game with Detroit, who’s still struggling to adjust to hockey in the post-Lidstrom era.
You can’t just replace one of the greatest defencemen of all time, and the Wings are middling around .500 this year instead of keeping pace with Chicago for the central division lead.
Matchup: Vancouver Canucks (10 – 3 – 4) v Dallas Stars (8 – 7–3)
Venue: Joe Louis Arena
Time: 2:00 pm PT
TV/Radio: Sportsnet, Team 1040
Game Notes
It’s a homecoming of sorts for the Livonia, Michigan born Ryan Kesler.
Vancouver has perhaps surprisingly owned Detroit in recent matchups, holding a 5-1-4 record in their last 10 meetings.
Both teams, coincidentally, are coming off wins over Nashville.
What to Watch: Detroit
As mentioned, there have been growing pains adjusting to a blueline with Niklas Lidstrom and really without an adequate replacement after Ryan Suter and several other high profile defencemen failed to materialize in Detroit.
Both teams, coincidentally, are coming off wins over Nashville.
It puts the pressure on the Wings to extend their playoff appearance streak to 22 seasons, who currently sit in a logjam near the eighth and final seed.
The main concern is the powerplay, having gone one for its last 12 and converting at just 13.7 per cent this year.
Meanwhile, according to Elliotte Friedman last night, the Wings could be on the move to the Eastern Conference next year.
Line-up
- Valteri Filppula-Henrik Zetterberg-Damien Brunner
- Justin Abelkader-Pavel Datysuk-Danny Cleary
- Tomas Tatar-Joakim Anderson-Patrick Eaves
- Drew Miller-Cory Emmerton-Jordin Tootoo
- Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson
- Brian Lashoff-Ian White
- Kent Huskins-Jakub Kindl
- Jimmy Howard
What to Watch: Vancouver
Roberto Luongo will get the start as the Vezina buzz begins for the beleaguered backup. Having a 1.45 GAA with a .941 sv pct through nine games will do that.
The Canucks will not have Kevin Bieksa. He’s out with a groin injury sustained Friday in Nashville. It means Andrew Alberts will play his first game of the year.
David Booth didn’t practice yesterday and might not play tonight due to illness, which might give Zack Kassian a chance to get back beside Ryan Kesler.
Line-up
- Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Alex Burrows
- Chris Higgins-Ryan Kesler-Jannik Hansen
- Mason Raymond-Jordan Schroeder-Zack Kassian
- Aaron Volpatti-Maxim Lapierre-Dale Weise
- Jason Garrison-Alex Edler
- Dan Hamhuis-Chris Tanev
- Keith Ballard-Andrew Alberts
- Roberto Luongo
Prediction
The Canucks end the trip on a winning note and Roberto Luongo continues to make everyone wonder what exactly he did in the offseason to look this good. 4-2 Vancouver.
Game Day Tweets
The #Canucks vs. #RedWings today at 2PM Here’s the Matchup/Stats Insight nwsb.co/-9be5 + #NWSB Game Preview nwsb.co/aaa57
— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) February 24, 2013
#Canucks hold on for a 1-0 win over Predators thanks to Dale Weise’s first career game-winner!! Luongo with 23 saves in the shutout.
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 23, 2013
Great piece. He’s evolved big time RT @botchford: The perception of him has changed, but Roberto Luongo hasn’t theprovince.com/sports/hockey/…
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 24, 2013
Check out @sportsnetmurph‘s exclusive sit down interview with #Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo. @strombone1 sportsnet.ca/hockey/2013/02…
— Sportsnet Pacific (@SNETPacific) February 22, 2013
Want to stand on the blue line with the #Canucks during the anthems of an upcoming game?
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 24, 2013
#canucks Booth out (sick), Volpatti draws back in. Bieksa out (day to day strained groin), Alberts draws in. Luongo starts.
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) February 24, 2013
No Kevin Bieksa on the ice for #canucks morning skate. Andrew Alberts will play for the 1st time this season. Looks like Luongo starting.
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) February 24, 2013
Have you seen today’s Behind the Lens? NO!?! Do it, or we will send the Kassquatch after you. bit.ly/WaRRKa
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 23, 2013
Luongo improved to 13-12-3 with a 2.18 GAA and .895 save percentage against Nashville. #Canucks
— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) February 23, 2013
CLICK HERE CHECK OUT THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS CLUBHOUSE TODAY ON NWSB!
About Richard Hodges
