Vancouver Canucks preview: Sidney Crosby and the Penguins march

The Vancouver Canucks will try to snap a two-game losing skid when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion, Pittsburgh Penguins. Here’s everything you need to know, plus our game predictions.

It won’t be easy, but the Vancouver Canucks really could use a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins — who have won the last four meetings and eight of the last 10 overall.

The Canucks have lost their only two games this week — against the Dallas Stars on Monday and to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. But they’ll have it in tough against a defending Penguins team that’s (again), among the most dominant in the NHL thus far.

Four different Pens have reached double digit points thus far, and Matt Murray is among the elite goalies with an 8-2-1 record. The Canucks will undoubtedly have their hands full against perhaps the most well-rounded team in hockey.

Will Vancouver be able to match the Pens strength-for-strength? It’s going to be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Here is our game preview for tonight’s bout with the defending champs.

Vancouver Canucks

Overview

2017-18 Record: 6-4-2

2016-17 Record vs. Penguins: 0-2-0

Goals For: 31

Goals Against: 29

Injuries: Troy Stecher (knee, 4-6 weeks), Brendan Gaunce (shoulder, out indefinitely), Alexander Edler (knee, 3-4 weeks), Loui Eriksson (knee, 4-6 weeks)

Who’s on offence

Brock Boeser: The rookie sensation leads the team with nine points in as many games so far. While most of the Canucks forwards continue to play below their expectations, Boeser has been all over the ice making big plays. He’s undoubtedly Vancouver’s go-to forward in this one.

Bo Horvat: Horvat has struggled this season, with just seven points in 12 games. Not ideal for your No. 1 centre. He’ll be looking to get his totals back on track, and tonight seems like a good time for it.

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Who’s on defence

Derrick Pouliot: Once a highly-touted first round pick of the Penguins, Pouliot didn’t pan out and was shipped to the Canucks last month for Andrey Pedan and a fourth rounder. Pouliot has played effectively at both ends of the ice, and will be asked to shut down his former teammates in this one.

Who’s in net

Anders Nilsson: Jacob Markstrom got the last two starts, so expect Nilsson to get the nod in this one. He’s been above-excellent with a 1.88 goals against average and .943 save percentage.

Projected lineup:

Projected lineup

Sven Baertschi—Bo Horvat—Brock Boeser

Daniel Sedin—Henrik Sedin—Jake Virtanen

Markus Granlund—Brandon Sutter—Derek Dorsett

Thomas Vanek—Alexander Burmistrov—Sam Gagner

Ben Hutton—Chris Tanev

Michael Del Zotto—Erik Gudbranson

Benoit Pouliot—Alex Biega

*lineups courtesy of the Daily Faceoff

Pittsburgh Penguins

Overview

2017-18 Record: 8-5-2

2016-17 Record vs. Canucks: 2-0-0

Goals For: 40

Goals Against: 54

Injuries: Justin Schultz (concussion, day-to-day), Carter Rowney (hand, day-to-day), Matt Hunwick (concussion, day-to-day)

Who’s on offence

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Sidney Crosby: Business as usual for Sid the Kid. He has 12 points in 15 games and remains the best player in the NHL right now. The Canucks are without two of their top three defencemen in this one, so stopping Crosby will be a challenge.

Evgeni Malkin: ‘Geno’ leads the Penguins with 15 points thus far. He’s 31 years of age and very prone to injury, but Malkin just won’t stop. Much like Crosby, the Canucks are going to have their hands full limiting his dangerous offence.

Who’s on defence

Kris Letang: Coming off season-ending neck surgery, Letang has been a bit rusty to start the season. But he’s putting up the points (11 in 15 games), and moves the puck up ice better than most blueliners. The Canucks will need to find a way to implement a neutral zone trap to take away Letang’s strenths.

Who’s in net

Matt Murray: He was given the night off on Thursday, so Murray should be fresh in this contest. The Canucks have faced a handful of quality goalies this year, but none like the 23-year-old who’s already won two Stanley Cups.

Projected lineup

PROJECTED LINEUP:
Conor Sheary— Sidney Crosby — Patric Hornqvist
Tom Kuhnhackl — Evgeni Malkin — Bryan Rust
Jake Guentzel — Riley Sheahan — Phil Kessel
Josh Archibald— Greg McKegg — Ryan Reaves

Olli Maatta  — Kris Letang
Brian Dumoulin— Chad Ruhwedel
Ian Cole — Frank Corrado

*lineups courtesy of the Daily Faceoff

Keys to victory

Vancouver Canucks

• Score on the power play. You’re not winning 1-0 or 2-1 against the Penguins. If they have a man in the box, make them pay the price.
• Contain Crosby and Malkin. It just takes a split second for these guys to get open and set up a goal. Vancouver needs its blueliners to zone in on these guys at all times
• A big day from Anders Nilsson wouldn’t hurt, either.

Pittsburgh Penguins

• Keep firing shots at Nilsson. The Canucks goalies have been bombarded with a ton of shots. Eventually, they’ll wear down.
• Stay out of the penalty box, because even the worst of power plays will score the odd time.
• Give the goalies a break. The Pens’ defence has been a disaster so far. Clean up the zone and get the pucks out.

Predictions

Alex Hoegler

It’d be nice to see the Canucks win, but there’s a reason the Penguins have taken eight of the last 10 meetings. They’re faster, more skilled, stronger and deeper in every aspect. The Canucks just don’t have the pieces to stay in this game.

Andrew Nazareth

The Canucks finally figure out how to capitalize on their ample scoring chances, while also continuing to play solid defence.

Tyler Shipley

Half-hearted efforts abound, and the Pens win a snoozer.

Next: Canucks move up in power rankings

Scott Rosenhek

The Canucks have played great team defence this season, but we have a predictable offence that can’t score enough goals. Canucks are sixth in goals against, but 27th in goals for. That’s not enough to beat Crosby and Malkin. Boeser gets the lone goal for the good guys.