Vancouver Canucks Outlook, Predictions Week #20: Tank Nation
By David Joun
@ Calgary Flames (25-26-3) Friday, February 19th
Leading scorer: Johnny Gaudreau (21 goals, 51 points)
Keys to the game:
- Obviously. Revenge.
- Powerplay has to revive itself
- Sedins need to revive themselves
Whenever the Canucks roll into the Saddledome of the Calgary Flames, it is a tough match to win. It is a revenge for last year’s playoff humiliation and a reminder that it can, and probably, happen again this year. The question is not much different when it comes to tanking. If the Canucks lose all three games of the week, the team is setting up nicely to worship Mr. Matthews.
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But more recently, the #tanknation talk heated up thanks to the most recent loss to the Flames. The team had every reason to win that night, home in Rogers Arena. But with Alex Edler and Brandon Sutter out, this might be uglier if the Canucks don’t step up against their former Northwest Division rivals and their current Pacific Division foes.
The powerplay which has just one goal in almost 20 attempts will have to come alive. What better team to play than the second worst team in the league on the PK? The Flames are successful just 75 percent on the time on the penalty kill. Time for the PP to come alive.
For your information, the three worst PK teams of the NHL are all Canadian — Ottawa, Calgary, and Winnipeg.
And remember the very first game of the season against the Flames? Sutter and the Twins just dominated them. Where have the Sedins been lately? Nowhere. The Sedins will also have to revive their play against an old Albertan foe. Alberta used to be the Sedins’ stomping grounds…
The Canucks are going to be tired after a home game against the Anaheim Ducks just a day before. This could really get ugly.
Predictions
For a Vancouver win:
104. Final. 2. 112. 3
Sarah: Canucks will be looking to avenge their last game against the flames and surprise many by finding their offensive stride.
Janik: Can’t lose everything, eh?
Steve: Payback.
For a Calgary win:
Final. 4. 112. 2. 104
Me: Saddledome will choke the Canucks once more unless Markstrom can make something happen for Vancouver.
Next: The Bottomline