Vancouver Canucks Outlook and Predictions Week #24: Rising

@ Edmonton Oilers (27-37-7) Friday, March 17th

Leading scorer: Taylor Hall (22 goals, 57 points)

Keys to the game:

1. Get to Connor McDavid
2. Slow down the Rush
3. Deny rebound chances
4. Go all-in for the Win

This game is going to be a fun one. The Canucks will continue their road warrior season (14-12-7 on the road) when they visit the Edmonton Oilers. The two previous meetings of the season have both gone a 2-1 overtime decision, Vancouver hosting both meetings.

When Connor McDavid played against the Canucks, the Oilers are 1-0. When the Canucks beat Edmonton for the first overtime win of the season, McDavid was absent from the lineup. So guess what — the Canucks are going to have to shut him down. Whether it be Jake Virtanen giving him a nightmare game with the physicality or a potential Nikita Tryamkin giving him a handful, Vancouver has to shut down McDavid.

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

The first overall pick of last year’s draft now has 35 points in 34 games. That will be a 84-point season had he played the entire season.

Much of that offence comes from simple plays that score because of spectacular shots from the Oilers’ young guns. Drive down main street and roof it on Miller. Sounds easy enough. If there is a rebound from a point shot, the Oilers will get to it like hungry dogs and snap it past the faulty glove of Markstrom. Get the venom out of the rush and get those rebounds.

And lastly, despite this being the first of a back-to-back, the Canucks should really think of going all-in for this one. What’s the point of saving up when you got the St. Louis Blues in town for the next day? Just get the two points against the Oilers already.

Predictions

For a Canucks win:

Jeff, Janik, and I

For an Oilers win:

Sam, Gerald, Steve, and Sarah

Next: Home vs. St. Louis & The Bottomline