Canucks vs Wild Tonight
Vancouver Canucks try to go 11 and 2
Another big home game tonight for the Vancouver Canucks, against the Minnesota Wild. The Wild will try to come in and break their curren losing streak, and gain 2 points to make it into the 8th and final playoff spot in the western conference. Meanwhile, the Canucks will look to gain the 2 points to stay in 5th spot, and ahead of the Wild who would then be on the outside, looking in, on the playoff standings. If the Canucks pull out another win tonight, they will be 11 and 2 in their last 13 games, after getting points in 16 of their last 20 games.
Hopefully the Canucks can get more offensive production from their defensive corps tonight against the Wild, as Kevin Bieksa has gone 4 games without a point, yet still leads the Canucks defenseman in points. Mats Sundin had two assists against Columbus, so look for him to produce again tonight as well. Ryan Kesler has been on fire, and hopefully can start a consistent string of points during the next few games. The Wild have lost 3 of their last 4 meetings against the Canucks, and have lost their last 3 consecutive starts.
The Wild have a much more defensive oriented game than the Canucks, so look for Vancouver to hit hard and hit early, to try to get on the scoreboard, and make the Wild pay for their defensive play.
The big question with this game, is the fact that this could be the last game with the current roster, heading into tomorrow trade deadline. Several Canucks have rumours swirling around them, the biggest being around Alex Burrows, who may be shipped if he can’t sign a contract extension. Hopefully this rumour, is just that, a RUMOUR, as Burrows leaving the Canucks would throw a large wrench into this teams on ice chemistry. One big development heading into tonights game is the fact that Brendan Morrison has been placed on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks. Will the Canucks pick him up? He would be a great third line center, pushing Wellwood down to the fourth line, as Wellwood sure hasn’t been producing. We will know by tomorrow morning if the Canucks pick him up, I think it would be a SMART move for the Canucks, bringing back local BC talent that has a proven ability to play and put up big numbers.
Make sure to see the Canucks game live on Sportsnet Pacific at 7pm. You can also listen to the game on live streaming online radio at The Team, team1040.ca.
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Tags: Alex Burrows, Brendan Morrison, Kevin Bieksa, Kyle Wellwood, Mats Sundin, Minnesota Wild, Ryan Kesler
