Vancouver Canucks: Week 8 Preview, Predictions
The Vancouver Canucks went 2-1-0 on the road last week. This week they play three games at home, as we turn the calendar to December.
The Vancouver Canucks have come home from a successful road trip.
They won two of three games, and lost to the Dallas Stars only by one goal. This week, they return home and will try to put fans in the Christmas spirit.
But history may be repeating itself. The Canucks are still missing Chris Tanev, and now may have to do without Alexander Edler as well.
Edler took a puck of the hand last game against the Colorado Avalanche and left midway through the first period. According to the coach, it “doesn’t look good”:
Desjardins confirms doesn't look good for Edler, but he'll be x-rayed back in VAN. Blocked shot with his hand.
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) November 27, 2016
Last year, the Canucks got into huge trouble with injuries to the defense. Edler, Tanev, Dan Hamhuis and Luca Sbisa all missed significant time. Lack of depth on defense was one of the things that derailed last season.
Up until now, the concern had been how rookies Troy Stecher and Nikita Tryamkin would find ice time. Now, the point may be moot, as they will have to help take some of the big minutes that Edler and Tanev usually play.
Let’s look ahead to the three games on the schedule this week.
Tuesday, Nov. 29: Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild
Which goalie leads the league in shutouts, and is top-three in both save-percentage and goals-against average?
If you said “Devan Dubnyk“, you are correct!
More from The Canuck Way
- Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
- What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
- Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
- Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
- 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg
The enigmatic goaltender is making up for lost time. He played five seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, sometimes putting up solid numbers, and other times not-so-solid. After brief stops in Nashville and Arizona, he has made a comfortable home for himself with the Minnesota Wild.
He was a finalist for the Vezina trophy in his first season there. And it looks like he could repeat that feat again this year. Dubnyk has four shutouts, a paltry 1.66 goals-against, and a sparkling .946 save-percentage.
The Wild are known for not giving up many goals against, and that has continued under new head coach Bruce Boudreau. Minnesota leads the lead, having surrendered only 42.
When they visit Vancouver, brothers Mikael Granlund and Markus Granlund will face each. Mikael, the elder of the two, has been a mainstay in the Wild’s top-six for years. Markus, on the other hand, is getting his first crack at being a second-line winger. Both brothers have five goals on the season.
Predictions
Gerald Morton:
2. 104. 4. 98. Final
Minnesota starts to make America great again by beating up on the poor Canucks. (Note: game will overturned in a decade when it is learned illegal Russian referees infiltrated game).
Janik Beichler:
98. Final. 3. 104. 2
Sometimes the Canucks play solid hockey and this will be one of those nights.
Alex Hoegler:
98. Final. 1. 104. 3
Minnesota doesn’t give up goals and the Canucks barely score goals
Jeff Godley:
98. Final. 1. 104. 4
Devan Dubnyk is too good. The Canucks will get one past him, but no more. The Wild offense is middling, but it will get the job done against Vancouver.
Thursday, Dec. 1: Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks
In their first meeting of the season, Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa won against their former team.
Since that game, the Ducks signed key defenseman Hampus Lindholm to a six-year contract. Lindholm has played nine games this season and managed only two assists.
Overall, the Ducks have been average this season. They are 16th in goals-for, and 11th in goals-against. Currently, Anaheim sits fourth in the Pacific Division, just one point back of the Los Angeles Kings. They hold the first wild card spot.
With Frederik Andersen traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the off-season, John Gibson has become the Ducks’ number one. The results have been lackluster so far. Gibson only has a 6-7-3 record, with mediocre numbers.
Meanwhile, newcomer Jonathan Bernier is performing well in a backup role. He is 4-1-1, with a 2.02 goals-against and .933 save-percentage.
Gibson has a bit of ground to make up if the Anaheim Ducks want to fulfill their Stanley Cup dreams. The window for this team is closing fast.
Predictions
Gerald:
2. 104. 1. 105. Final
Kesler and Bieksa take pity on old team and play terrible. At least, that is what they tell Carlyle when he launches into one of his trademark rages.
Janik:
1. 104. 4. 105. Final
The Ducks really aren’t that good right now, but they can still find ways to beat Vancouver. Bo Horvat with the lone goal.
Alex:
104. 2. 105. Final. 3
They’ve surprisingly played Anaheim well and will be due for a win here.
Jeff:
105. Final. 2. 104. 4
Just like last game. The Canucks will be close going into the third period, but Anaheim will ultimately prove to be too much for them.
Saturday, Dec. 3: Canucks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Fans had this game circled on their calendars before the Canucks and Leafs finished their last game.
On that November 5th night at the Air Canada Center, both teams filled the penalty box. In the end, the Leafs also ended up filling the Canucks’ net.
But of course, the loss is not the main thing on everyone’s minds.
No, that would be Nazem Kadri‘s now-infamous blindside hit on Daniel Sedin:
Daniel was not injured on that play, though Jannik Hansen was injured just prior to that and has not played since.
Related Story: No Suspension for Kadri's Hit on Daniel Sedin
In addition to Kadri’s hit, the Canucks were also up in arms about Matt Martin fighting Troy Stecher. Stecher was only in his third NHL game, and Martin stands five inches taller than him. Ryan Miller jumped in to defend Stecher, and both he and Frederik Andersen were ejected from the game.
There is plenty of bad blood to go around. This game could get out of hand quickly, and Vancouver players need to take care. You know the NHL will be looking for any sniff that the Canucks are exacting revenge by throwing cheap hits of their own.
Predictions
Gerald:
116. Final. 5. 104. 4
Toronto and Vancouver battle for the title of best Canadian city as Montreal laughs from above in the standings. In the end, the Sedins cycle for so long and so hard all the youngsters on the Leafs get motion sick and have to lie down.
Janik:
4. 104. 1. 116. Final
Why? I have no idea.
Alex:
4. 116. Final. 3. 104
Both teams are struggling, but you have to like the younger, faster team.
Jeff:
5. 104. 2. 116. Final
Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Kadri got Daniel with a cheap shot
He escaped suspension, got the Canucks’ attention
And that hit will ne’er be forgot
The Vancouver Canucks have two days off before hitting the ice for their next game. It happens Tuesday against the Wild.