Vancouver Canucks at Florida Panthers: Preview, Lineups

Jan 11, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; The Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks benches clear and fight after overtime at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; The Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks benches clear and fight after overtime at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off of a big road win in Tampa Bay, the Vancouver Canucks will look for their supporting cast to have an impact once again tonight against the Florida Panthers.

The Vancouver Canucks beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 on Thursday, thanks to a 38-save performance by goaltender Ryan Miller and two-goal nights by forwards Jayson Megna and Jack Skille. Can they repeat their successful performances tonight against the Florida Panthers?

97. 0. 104. Final. 0

Vancouver Canucks

OVERVIEW:

2016-17 Record: 12-13-2

Away Record: 4-8-1

2015-16 Record vs. Panthers: 1-0-1

Goals For: 65

Goals Against: 79

Power Play: 14.1% (T-25th)

Penalty Kill: 84.9% (T-7th)

Leading Scorers: Daniel Sedin (27 GP -– 8 G – 10– A -18– PTS), Henrik Sedin (27 GP – 7– G – 10– A – 17 PTS)  Bo Horvat (27 GP – –8 G -8– A -16– PTS)

Injuries: Philip Larsen (upper body, day-to-day), Alexander Edler (broken finger, late December/early January), Derek Dorsett (shoulder, indefinitely), Chris Tanev (foot, indefinitely), Jannik Hansen (fractured rib, early-to-mid December), Anton Rodin (knee, day-to-day)

WHO’’S ON OFFENCE:

Jack Skille: Signed as a depth player, Skille is playing every game when he’s healthy. Against Tampa Bay, he finally scored his first two goals for the Canucks and now sits at a total of three points in 20 games. Can he keep the trend going?

Jayson Megna: Megna is tied with Skille in points, having scored three goals and no assists in 11 games. He isn’t always outstanding, but Megna has been doing a solid job in the Canucks’ bottom six.

WHO’’S ON DEFENCE:

Luca Sbisa: Fans have wanted to see Sbisa traded for quite some time. But now he actually plays decent hockey every once in a while — on the Canucks’ “top D-pairing”. Time to change your mind?

WHO’’S IN NET:

Ryan Miller: Following a 38-save night, Miller might get another chance to prove he can still play consistently.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

Daniel Sedin — Henrik Sedin — Brandon Sutter
Loui Eriksson — Markus Granlund — Jayson Megna
Sven Baertschi — Bo Horvat— — Alex Burrows
Brendan Gaunce — Michael Chaput — Jack Skille

Ben Hutton — Erik Gudbranson
Luca Sbisa — Troy Stecher
Nikita Tryamkin — Alex Biega

Ryan Miller
Jacob Markstrom

Florida Panthers

OVERVIEW:

2016-17 Record: 12-12-4

Home Record: 7-5-0

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

Goals For: 66

Goals Against: 75

Power Play: 13.5% (T-29th)

Penalty Kill: 85% (6th)

Leading Scorers: Jonathan Marchessault (25 GP -– 10 G – 9– A -– 19 PTS), Aleksander Barkov (28 GP – 5– G – 13 – A – 18– PTS), Jaromir Jagr (28 GP – 6– G – 8– A – 14– PTS).

Injuries: Jonathan Marchessault (lower body, day-to-day), Alex Petrovic (ankle, week-to-week), Jonathan Huberdeau (achilles, late January/early February)

More from The Canuck Way

WHO’’S ON OFFENCE:

Jaromir Jagr: Now roughly 100 years old, Jagr is still playing at the highest level. In 28 games, he has six goals and 14 points, good for third in team scoring.

Jonathan Marchessault: One of the biggest surprises of the season league-wide, Marchessault has been outstanding for the Panthers. Unfortunately, he is currently dealing with a lower-body injury that might keep him out for tonight’s game.

WHO’’S ON DEFENCE:

Aaron Ekblad: Ever since Ekblad came into the NHL as an 18-year-old, he has looked like a veteran. The Panthers are relying on him heavily in all situations, and he is a player to keep an eye on at all times.

WHO’’S IN NET:

Roberto Luongo: If the Canucks are lucky, Luongo will be thinking about his next hilarious tweet rather than focusing on the game. Chances are that won’t happen but you never know.

Next: 3 Forwards to Target in Trade

PROJECTED LINEUP:

Reilly Smith — Aleksander Barkov — Jaromir Jagr
Jussi Jokinen — Vincent Trocheck — Colton Sceviour
Denis Malgin — Nick Bjugstad — Paul Thompson
Seth Griffith — Derek MacKenzie — Kyle Rau

Keith Yandle — Jason Demers
Jakub Kindl — Aaron Ekblad
Mark Pysyk — Michael Matheson

Roberto Luongo
James Reimer