Vancouver Canucks Week #16 Outlook, Predictions: Bo vs. East

@ Pittsburgh Penguins (20-16-7) Saturday, January 23rd

Leading scorer: Evgeni Malkin (19 goals, 41 points)

Keys to the game

1. Exploit a new lineup
2. Play as before — shut down the stars
3. Brandon Sutter‘s homecoming?

The Pittsburgh Penguins were losing traction on the standings, but they are back to steady now. Still, those couple weeks of insecurity surrounding Sidney Crosby cost them dearly — they sit below the Carolina Hurricanes in the standings.

More from The Canuck Way

• Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
• What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
• Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
• Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
• 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg

And they made a move Sunday, moving David Perron out to Anaheim with Adam Clendening and acquiring Carl Hagelin, who returns to the East Coast after his earlier years with the Rangers organization. I wonder if this move will cost the Canucks a shot at the playoffs at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks.

Also, another former Canuck Nick Bonino is out with an injury. The lineup is unstable. Take advantage of the chemistry that has yet to crystallize. And shut down the chemistry that is starting to spark again — Crosby.

After missing his mark in the first months of the season, Crosby is coming back to form with 34 points on the season. Of course, not a gaudy number for number 87, but always a threat with Mr. Malkin.

Lastly, we could potentially see Brandon Sutter return. After all, the team took him on the road trip for a reason, and this game against the flightless birds of the East is the last of the trip. Should Sutter return with a set of fresh legs, great faceoff success, and some good defensive work, that will free up the man of the week, number 53, Mr. Horvat, to have more freedom on the attacking side of the puck.

Our Predictions

David Joun:

I take a breakout for the Canucks in this one. Time we had one against a good opponent!

Sarah Laug:

Janik Beichler:

Next: The Bottomline