The Canuck Way
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Vancouver Canucks preview: Looking to bounce back in New York

By Alex Hoegler

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes save on shot by Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat (53) as Vancouver Canucks right wing Jake Virtanen (18) looks for rebound during the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers NHL game on November 12, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes save on shot by Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat (53) as Vancouver Canucks right wing Jake Virtanen (18) looks for rebound during the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers NHL game on November 12, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Vancouver Canucks’ four-game win streak ended on Saturday. They’ll try to get back in the win column against the New York Rangers.

Following a frustrating 1-0 loss on Saturday, the Vancouver Canucks will head to Broadway as they prepare for a showdown with the New York Rangers.

Vancouver’s four-game winning streak ended at the hands of the New Jersey Devils, and they’re now 1-3 on the road this season. Things will hopefully be a little easier tomorrow, when they take on a Ranger team that has lost three games in a row.

The Canucks and Rangers split the season series last year, with the home team winning each meeting. In all, New York has taken four of the last five contests against Vancouver. But both teams look a lot different now compared to the last three years.

After a brief one-year rebuild, the Rangers went all-in again this offseason. They traded for Winnipeg Jets blueliner Jacob Trouba before handing him a seven-year extension worth $56 million. New York also drafted Finnish stud Kaapo Kakko second overall, and they topped it off by landing superstar Artemi Panarin in free agency on a seven-year, $81.5 million deal.

So even if their 2-3-0 record doesn’t look on paper, the Rangers aren’t short of talent. They’ll provide a major test against the Canucks tonight.

Players to watch

Bo Horvat: The new captain only has one goal and one assist through seven games. It’s only a matter of time until he hits his stride offensively. Is tomorrow the day?

Mika Zibanejad: The 26-year-old is off to a scorching start with 10 points through his first five games. Don’t be surprised if head coach Travis Green assigns Horvat’s line against Zibanejad’s.

Elias Pettersson: His four-game point streak ended against New Jersey on Saturday. Pettersson has been held pointless in three of the first seven games. The Canucks will lean on him to carry the offence once again.

Artemi Panarin: So far, the Rangers can’t complain about their hefty investment. Panarin has recorded five points in as many games this season. As a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Panarin had two points against the Canucks in 2018-19.

Prediction: 3-2 Canucks (overtime)

The Canucks have struggled on the road this season, and you get the feeling the Rangers are due to end their losing skid. But Vancouver has been playing excellent hockey since their season opener, and they deserved at least a point in New Jersey.

Canucks need more from their bottom six forwards. dark. Next

Vancouver and New York will grind out a tight defensive game, before Brock Boeser finishes the job in overtime. The Canucks win their second road contest of the year.

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