Vancouver Canucks Outlook, Predictions Week #19: Free Fall

@ Colorado Avalanche (27-24-4) Tuesday, February 9th

Leading scorer: Matt Duchene (24 goals, 43 points)

Keys to the game:

1. Find a way to not lose
2. Keep the front of the net clear
3. Go with the flow, play a fast game

First of all, the Canucks cannot afford to lose in regulation. They have to find a way to get at least a point in this match. Sorry for stating the obvious, but if the Canucks lose this one in regulation, I would rather have Auston Matthews than the playoffs. Trade Alex Burrows, trade Radim Vrbata, etc. Patience is running thin.

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• Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
• 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg

As for the actual keys to the game, the Avalanche are one of the worst at getting shots on net. They are fouth-last in the league in shots per game. But they have 27 wins and 58 points this season. The Canucks have to make sure that the few shots that actually get to the net are easy ones for Miller or Markstrom to see and to save. Don’t allow the Avalanche to set up traffic, don’t allow them to tip those point shots, and don’t let them get clean angles on odd-man rushes.

The Avalanche though, are in the league’s top-10 in both goals for and goals allowed. What does that mean? They score a lot and they allow a lot. The game is going to be open. Yes, guys like Jarome Iginla are on the team. But the Canucks have a knack for giving these veterans a free pass. It is going to be difficult for the Canucks to keep up, but they have to go with the flow, hoping that the Avalanche will open up.

As for Iginla… Do you remember when the Canucks faced Shane Doan and Jaromir Jagr? Multi-point nights for those fossils on skates. Don’t let Iginla repeat. Please.

Staff Predictions

David Joun

Sarah Laug

Gerald Morton

Janik Beichler

Next: Away @ Arizona