Vancouver Canucks Outlook and Predictions Week #23: Reset
By David Joun
vs. Nashville Predators (33-21-12) Saturday, March 12th
Leading scorer: Filip Forsberg (28 goals, 51 points)
Keys to the game:
- Be quick with the puck
- Versatile zone defence
- Everything to the net
Right off the bat here — the Nashville Predators will not allow the Canucks to walk through the defence. They will clog up your rushes, pressure the points when they are defending, and stifle the cycle around the boards.
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The Canucks are going to have to be a step quicker with the puck. Don’t try to get that extra step on the defenceman, just shoot. That also ties to my third point — the Predators are the second-best team in the NHL in terms of shot suppression. That is why they can survive this season despite Pekka Rinne being sub-par this year.
But their offence has stepped up mightily, too. Spearheaded by forwards like Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg, the Predators have claimed the top wildcard spot in the West. Their play of late certainly did not hurt — they are 7-0-3 in their last 10 games.
And to contain the Predators offence, the Canucks are going to do the exact same thing the Predators will do to defend. They will have to clog up the rush so Forsberg doesn’t roof a wrister off the rush and will have to take command of the boards and the play behind the goal line so that Johansen doesn’t tip in a feed to the goal mouth.
Prediction
For a Vancouver Win:
2. 104. 3. 151. Final
Steve Boddy: Nashville has had trouble containing the young guys all year. Youth will lead the team to a W.
Sarah Laug: I am going to hope that the Canucks win — so I can experience a win LIVE!
For a Nashville Win:
2. 104. 4. 151. Final
If Henrik is still out with Tanev for this game, no chance for the Canucks. Wonder if Granlund has something up his sleeve though. Tough game for Vancouver.
Janik Beichler: It’s Nashville. They’re good.
Next: The Bottomline