Vancouver Canucks Outlook, Predictions Week #19: Free Fall

@ Arizona Coyotes (24-24-6) Wednesday, February 10th

Leading scorer: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (15 goals, 38 points)

Keys to the game:

1. Speaking of Iginla…
2. Putting Brandon Sutter to the test
3. Survival instincts

Speaking of Iginla, the Canucks will face Shane Doan, who has two goals in two games this season against Vancouver. This time, Doan is the biggest weapon that the Arizona Coyotes boast as he leads the team in goals.

Good thing that Brandon Sutter is back. The Coyotes are the league’s best faceoff team, and they will look the bury the Canucks on the faceoffs. Sutter cannot let that happen, nor can Bo Horvat. Get possession and control the shot clock by limiting the shots clean off the faceoffs (especially with Oliver Ekman-Larsson at the point) and get some clean shots out of Alex Edler and Ben Hutton.

More from Canucks News

• Canucks are in “wash, rinse, repeat” mode after Monday’s 5-1 loss
• Canucks send Jack Rathbone and Vasily Podkolzin down to Abbotsford
• Canucks acquire Ethan Bear, Lane Pederson from Carolina
• Brock Boeser, Curtis Lazar placed on injury reserve
• Canucks officially unveil Reverse Retro jersey in latest aesthetic change

Speaking of shots, the Coyotes, like the Avalanche, do not get many shots on net. Their main success comes from the rush with the kids like Max Domi, and the point shots from OEL. Once again, control the net-front traffic and the drives to the net, and defending will be much easier.

You probably know that this is a four-point game. The Canucks are just two points behind Arizona right now, both having played an equal number of games. So what do I mean by “survival instincts”?

As this is the second game in as many nights for the Canucks, there probably will be the sentiment that a tired group would do well in just grabbing a point or so. No high expectations, you know. The Coyotes will go into Wednesday’s match having rested four days. Their last match was on Friday.

But we all know how the hungry road team can out-battle the well-rested, perhaps rusty, home team. The Canucks cannot have excuses going into this game. Be tough on yourselves if you really want to beat the odds and make the playoffs. A win here would be pivotal.

Again, Jacob Markstrom may get the start in Arizona.

Staff Predictions

David Joun

Sarah Laug

Gerald Morton

Janik Beichler

Next: Home vs. Toronto