Vancouver Canucks game preview: Boeser hits the Jackpot

Vancouver Canucks

Overview

2017-18 Record: 9-7-2

Goals For: 46

Goals Against: 47

Injuries (from Rotoworld): Troy Stecher (knee, day to day), Chris Tanev (thumb, out 2-3 weeks)

Who’s on Offence

Bo Horvat is tied for the team lead in goals with Derek Dorsett, thanks to a brilliant power play goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. On top of that, he is second on the team in points, behind Brock Boeser. The Flow has 15 points in 15 games and seven of those points have come on the man advantage.

Sven Baertschi is starting to feel underrated on Canucks Twitter. He is making incredible plays with his soccer skills. Furthermore, Baertschi has 13 points and is third on the team in scoring. The trio were separated on the new power play units, but we saw both units cash in during Tuesday’s game. What a time to be alive. We have three players leading the Canucks offence and none of them are named Sedin.

It’s like Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a-changin’.”

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

Who’s on Defence

Derrick Pouliot has been brilliant so far with the Canucks. His ability to play on his off side has helped Travis Green tremendously in times of injury to his right-shot defencemen. Pouliot looks so comfortable when he is paired with Alex Edler. The pairing if reminiscent of the Eagle-Stecher top pairing from last year. Green will have a tough choice to make when Stecher and Tanev return to the lineup later this year.

Who’s in Net

Anders Nilsson was a little shaky in the first few minutes of Tuesday’s game. His positioning was a little off then, but he played very well for the rest of the game. Nilsson has missed some time since he was away for the birth of his baby, according to Brendan Batchelor. He should get another start and give Jacob Markstrom a well-deserved break.

Projected Lineup:

Sven Baertschi—Bo Horvat—Brock Boeser

Daniel Sedin—Henrik Sedin—Loui Eriksson

Brendan Gaunce—Brandon Sutter—Derek Dorsett

Thomas Vanek—Markus Granlund—Sam Gagner

Alex Edler—Derrick Pouliot

Ben Hutton—Erik Gudbranson

Michael Del Zotto—Alex Biega

*lineups courtesy of the dailyfaceoff