Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers: Preview, Lineups, Insights
The Vancouver Canucks are looking to snap their three-game losing streak against the Edmonton Oilers — the Pacific Division’s top team.
A four-game winning streak was a terrific start into the 2016-17 season for the Vancouver Canucks. Back-to-back losses against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks could be excused, but being shut out at home against the Ottawa Senators is about as low as a team could fall.
Unfortunately, winning won’t be easier against the Edmonton Oilers, who currently sit in first in the Pacific Division. The 2016-17 campaign seems to be the year where Connor McDavid and Co. can get back into playoff contention.
But what about the Canucks?
Edmonton Oilers
OVERVIEW:
2016-17 Record: 6-1-0
Away Record: 2-0-0
2015-16 Record vs. Canucks: 3-0-2
Goals For: 27
Goals Against: 17
Power Play: 18.2% (17th)
Penalty Kill: 90.0% (6th)
Leading Scorers: Connor McDavid (7 GP – 4 G – 7 A – 11 PTS), Jordan Eberle (7 GP – 3 G – 3 A – 6 PTS), Leon Draisaitl (7 GP – 2 G – 4 A – 6 PTS).
Injuries: Mark Fayne (undisclosed, day-to-day), Brandon Davidson (upper body, week-to-week), Iiro Pakarinen (knee, week-to-week), Matt Hendricks (lower body, week-to-week), Andrew Ference (hip, day-to-day)
WHO’S ON OFFENCE:
Connor McDavid: We all expected McDavid to become a superstar in his first full season. But did we expect him to take the scoring lead this quickly? I didn’t. If the Canucks want to win, they need to shut him down.
Leon Draisaitl: Draisaitl shows why it’s never bad to bring players along slowly. After playing 37 games in the NHL, Draisaitl was returned to juniors. The next season, he started in the American Hockey League and was only recalled because of McDavid’s injury. Today, Draisaitl is a strong second-line player who might have surpassed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the depth chart.
WHO’S ON DEFENCE:
Adam Larsson: Oilers fans have started to forget Taylor Hall even existed. Their team is winning and Larsson is playing solid hockey on the back end. The trade might not have been entirely fair, but as long as it works out for both sides, should we care?
Kris Russell: The analytics community was sure Russell was overrated and not worth the hype. Oilers fans love him. Another move that seems to be paying off for the Oilers, although one could probably argue his play wasn’t sustainable.
WHO’S IN NET:
Jonas Gustavsson: Cam Talbot is the club’s No. 1 on the depth chart, but Gustavsson is still waiting for his first start. There is probably no better chance to start your weaker backup than against the Vancouver Canucks.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
Milan Lucic — Connor McDavid — Jordan Eberle
Patrick Maroon — Leon Draisaitl — Jesse Puljujarvi
Benoit Pouliot — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Zack Kassian
Anton Lander — Mark Letestu — Tyler Pitlick
Oscar Klefbom — Adam Larsson
Andrej Sekera — Kris Russell
Darnell Nurse — Erik Gryba
Jonas Gustavsson
Cam Talbot
Vancouver Canucks
OVERVIEW:
2016-17 Record: 4-2-1
Home Record: 4-1-0
2015-16 Record vs. Oilers: 2-2-1
Goals For: 15
Goals Against: 17
Power Play: 12.5% (24th)
Penalty Kill: 83.3% (T-14th)
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 (lower body, 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:
More from Canucks News
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- Brock Boeser, Curtis Lazar placed on injury reserve
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Jake Virtanen: Virtanen complained about his ice time and line mates. He seems to want to play with Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi, and that’s what should happen. But, head coach Willie Desjardins has his own opinion, and that opinion seems to be different.
The Sedins: After six games, the Sedin twins do not look as good as expected. Where did the chemistry with Loui Eriksson go? Or, are the Sedins even first-liners anymore? It wouldn’t be fair to say they aren’t, but they certainly aren’t producing much better than the rest of the team.
WHO’S ON DEFENCE:
Troy Stecher: Stecher being the best Canuck in the game against the Ottawa Senators is great and terrible at the same time. Stecher is playing well? Awesome. But are you telling me the Canucks have no player who is better than an undrafted college free agent in his rookie season? Ugh.
WHO’S IN NET:
Ryan Miller: Miller is still the No. 1, and he is not the reason why Vancouver lost against the Senators. He can get another try.
Next: Canucks vs. Oilers Game Info
PROJECTED LINEUP:
Daniel Sedin — Henrik Sedin — Loui Eriksson
Markus Granlund — Brandon Sutter — Jannik Hansen
Sven Baertschi — Bo Horvat — Jack Skille
Jayson Megna — Brendan Gaunce — Jake Virtanen
Alex Edler — Troy Stecher
Ben Hutton — Erik Gudbranson
Luca Sbisa — Philip Larsen