I Love Lou
Cory Schneider is still the starter of the Vancouver Canucks in the same way Roberto Luongo was still the starter last year when Schneider was riding a hot hand.
All that’s really happening right now is that Luongo is increasing his trade value.
Oh, and Ryan Kesler took part in his first practice yesterday.
Things are looking up.
Matchup: Vancouver Canucks (4 – 2 – 2) v Edmonton Oilers (4 – 3 – 1)
Venue: Rexall Place
Time: 6:30 pm
TV/Radio: Sportsnet, Team 1040
Game Notes
Roberto Luongo‘s first start of the year came back when the Oilers beat the Canucks 3-2 in a shootout.
A win tonight would move the Oilers a point ahead of the Canucks in the Northwest Division, having won four of their first five.
What to Watch: Edmonton
The Oilers are coming off a lacklustre loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, as they’ve came down to earth after their fast start. It’s probably to be expected.
The extroverted Nail Yakupov is adjusting to the NHL fast, with three goals and an assist in his last four games.
With Eric Belanger on the IR after taking an Erik Johnson slapper to the foot, Magnus Paajarvi has been called back up. His injury also means that the Oilers need Shawn Horcoff to be healthy enough to play tonight or their centre depth will be Calgary-esque.
Cory Schneider is still the starter of the Vancouver Canucks …sort of
Line-up
Taylor Hall-Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Jordan Eberle
Nail Yakupov-Sam Gagner-Ales Hemsky
Ryan Smyth–Lennart Petrell-Teemu Hartikainen
Magnus Pajaarvi-Darcy Hordichuk-Anton Lander
Ladislav Smid-Jeff Petry
Nick Schultz-Justin Schultz
Ryan Whitney-Corey Potter
Devan Dubynk
What to Watch: Vancouver
It’s business as usual in Vancouver; we’re debating goaltending.
Roberto Luongo will get his fourth straight start while Mike Gillis and Laurence Gilman, the Smithers to his Mr Burns, were spotted in Washington where the Penguins put up six goals against the Capitals.
If you consider teams that would likely love to shake up their roster, Washington is definitely up there.
The drama continues.
Meanwhile, Ryan Kesler took part in his first practice and has been cleared for contact. There’s still no certain return date, but by the end of February the Canucks will have both him and David Booth back for the stretch run and playoffs. They might even get Kesler back in time for the game in Chicago on the 17th.
The Canucks will also have some new lines tonight.
Line – up
- Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Zack Kassian
- Mason Raymond – Jordan Schroeder – Alex Burrows
- Chris Higgins – Maxim Lapierre – Jannik Hansen
- Dale Weise – Manny Malhotra – Aaron Volpatti
- Dan Hamhuis – Kevin Bieksa
- Jason Garrison – Alex Edler
- Keith Ballard – Chris Tanev
- Roberto Luongo
Injuries
For Edmonton, Ryan Jones and Theo Peckham are out as is Ben Eager who was concussed by Zack Kassian as you may remember. Andy Sutton is probably out for the year with a knee injury.
Vancouver, meanwhile, is still waiting for their injured Americans to heal.
Prediction
Vancouver snuffs out the Oilers on the road as both teams revert to their mean after their initial starts. Let’s just assume Kassian gets on the scoresheet somehow. Maybe he beats up another Oiler too.
Game Day Tweets
Roberto Luongo starts again in goal, as the Canucks visit Edmonton tonight. Hear the call at 6:30 on #TEAM1040 or online at teamradio.ca
— TEAM Radio (@TEAM1040) February 4, 2013
The #Canucks take on the #Oilers tonight. Matchup/Stats Insight nwsb.co/afdj5 + #NWSB Gameday Preview nwsb.co/4w6k6
— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) February 4, 2013
#Canucks fans are in full force in Edmonton. instagr.am/p/VUhGJZNOKS/
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 4, 2013
Report: Canucks’ Gillis smooths over DC visit with GM McPhee: Go to TSN.ca for details. #TSN bit.ly/WnOHiL
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 4, 2013
Oh, yeah, for conspiracy theorists, WSH isn’t talking to VAN, has no plans to talk to VAN on any goalie. BTW, VAN isn’t trading Schneider.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 4, 2013
I guess it the Canucks HAVE to win the Cup with a backup in net, I’d be ok with that. #BackupProblems
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) February 4, 2013
Media Release: Roberto Luongo named @nhl‘s third star of the week. #Canucks
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 4, 2013
Ryan Whitney is a healthy scratch for tonight’s game vs Canucks. #TSN
— Aaron Ward (@aaronward_nhl) February 4, 2013
Game day. Ready? #Canucks on the Oilers tonight in Edmonton at 6:30PM. v.canucks.com/14MFKEt #CanucksG9
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 4, 2013
Luongo’s last three starts – 2-0-1 record, three total goals against, 77 saves on 80 shots against, one shutout & one shootout win. #Canucks
— Sportsnet Pacific (@SNETPacific) February 4, 2013
Kesler will travel with #canucks Says he still has a ways to go but feels comfortable and was excited to skate w/team.
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) February 3, 2013
Both #Oilers + #Canucks have played 4 OT/shootout games including the Oilers’ 3-2 win in Van. Edm. is 3-1 in those games the #Canucks 2-2
— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) February 4, 2013
The #Oilers, who will face the #Canucks three more times this season, haven’t won their season series against Van City since 2005-06.
— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) February 4, 2013
CLICK HERE CHECK OUT THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS CLUBHOUSE TODAY ON NWSB!
About Richard Hodges
