Vancouver Canucks vs. Ottawa Senators: Preview, Lineups, Insights

The Vancouver Canucks had a great start into the season but now have to make sure they don’t fall into a hole.

Out of six games in nine days, the Vancouver Canucks lost just one in regulation. It was the second of back-to-back road games in California, losing to the Anaheim Ducks after a shootout loss in Los Angeles the night before. That’s totally fine.

Yet, the Canucks need to make sure they don’t fall into a hole. After last the season, the Canucks know the fast lane from first to last in the Pacific Division all too well. A loss against one of the weaker Canadian teams, the Ottawa Senators, could push Vancouver right back down.

Can they fight back?

Ottawa Senators

OVERVIEW:

2016-17 Record: 3-2-0

Away Record: 0-1-0

2015-16 Record vs. Canucks: 1-1-0

Goals For: 18

Goals Against: 20

Power Play: 7.1% (29th)

Penalty Kill: 71.4% (27th)

Leading Scorers: Erik Karlsson (5 GP – 2 G – 5 A – 7 PTS), Kyle Turris (5 GP – 3 G – 1 A – 4 PTS), Ryan Dzingel (5 GP – 2 G – 2 A – 4 PTS).

Injuries: Clarke MacArthur (concussion, day-to-day)

WHO’S ON OFFENCE:

Kyle Turris: Much like the Canucks, the Senators need to find a true No. 1 centre soon. Turris is a strong player, currently holding the scoring lead among Sens forwards, but he isn’t the kind of star player that can carry you deep into the playoffs. So far this season, he has three goals and four points.

Ryan Dzingel: Dzingel has just 35 career NHL games with five goals and 13 points. Two of those goals and four of those points came in his first five games in the 2016-17 campaign. The 24-year-old looks ready to make an impact.

WHO’S ON DEFENCE:

Erik Karlsson: I don’t recall who it was, but someone called Philip Larsen “a poor man’s Erik Karlsson”. Well, Larsen is being mediocre with the Canucks and the Senators have the real Karlsson. This could become a key match-up tonight.

WHO’S IN NET:

Craig Anderson: Anderson is the No. 1 in net and he is well-rested after two off-days. So far, he has a goal-against average of 3.66 with a save percentage of .886. He will be looking for a strong game tonight, but this presents a good opportunity for Vancouver to get their offence going.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

Mike Hoffman — Kyle Turris — Mark Stone
Zack Smith — Derick Brassard — Bobby Ryan
Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Chris Kelly — Tom Pyatt
Ryan Dzingel — Phil Varone — Chris Neil

Mark Methot — Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf — Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki — Chris Wideman

Craig Anderson
Andrew Hammond

Vancouver Canucks

OVERVIEW:

2016-17 Record: 4-1-1

Home Record: 4-0-0

2015-16 Record vs. Senators: 1-1-0

Goals For: 15

Goals Against: 14

Power Play: 13.0% (21st)

Penalty Kill: 82.4% (16th)

Leading Scorers: Brandon Sutter (6 GP – 1 G – 4 A – 5 PTS), Henrik Sedin (6 GP – 3 G – 2 A – 5 PTS), Daniel Sedin (6 GP – 2 G – 2 A – 4 PTS)

Injuries: Chris Tanev (undisclosed, day-to-day), Alex Burrows (neck, day-to-day), Derek Dorsett (shoulder, day-to-day), Anton Rodin (knee, day-to-day)

WHO’S ON OFFENCE: