Vancouver Canucks gameday: Brock Boeser looks to roast the Penguins

The Vancouver Canucks are onto round two of their six-game Eastern road trip this evening taking on Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Pnguins.

Last night was hardly the challenge  Vancouver Canucks and their fans expected. Currently in the midst of one of the toughest road trips of the season, the Canucks have their work cut out for them in Pittsburgh, despite Evgeni Malkin sitting out with an upper-body injury.

Or do they?

Brock Boeser and the Vancouver Canucks easily took care of the Philadelphia Flyers last night exposing their defensive and collectively scoring. However, as per the theme this year, Boeser lead the offensive charge again.

And last time the rookie faced Sidney Crosby and the Penguins this season, Boeser lit them up by scoring the first hat-trick of his career. 

One question The Province put-forth this morning concerning the match-ups will keep you pondering until puck drop: Who will face-off against Sid the Kid and his line? The big minute-man Brandon Sutter, or Bo Horvat and the B-53s – who together combined for 11 points in the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 win over the Penguins November 4th.

Vancouver Canucks

Overview

2017-2018 Record: 10-8-2

2017-2018 record against the Penguins: 1-0-0

Goals for: 56

Goals Against: 59

Injuries: Winger Derek Dorsett (back), defencemen Chris Tanev (thumb), and Troy Stecher (knee). All listed day-to-day but Dorsett has flown back to Vancouver for tests.

Who’s on offence

Brock Boeser: As mentioned above, the Vancouver Canucks rookie stud has already had success again the Penguins. Furethermore, hs is coming off of a two goal night against the Flyers.

Sam Gagner: Jim Benning’s biggest contract signing of the off-season needs to start earning his pay check and provide secondary scoring. Because defensively, he has been a liability for the Vancouver Canucks.

Who’s on defence?

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Chris Tanev: Vancouver’s top defensemen did not play in the 5-2 win over last night in Philadelphia, but according to The Province, Tanev may be ready to play ahead of the puck-drop.

v: Overall, the former Western Hockey League star is playing well since being traded to the Vancouver Canucks. Surely Pouliot will be looking to make a splash against his former team

Who’s in net?

Anders Nilsson gets the start tonight. He’s 4-1-1 on the season, and will look to rebound after a tough outing against the St. Louis Blues.

Projected lineup

Sven Baertschi-Bo Horvat-Brock Boeser

Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Jake Virtanen

Louis Eriksson-Markus Granlund-Thomas Vanek

Brendan Gaunce-Brandon Sutter-Sam Gagner

Alexander Edler-Derrick Pouliot

Michael Del-Zotto-Alex Biega

Ben Hutton-Erik Gudbranson

Pittsburgh Penguins

Overview

2017-2018 Record: 11-8-2

2017-2018 Record against the Canucks: 0-1-0

Goals For: 59

Goals Against: 75

Injuries: Centre Carter Rowney (hand) and Evgeni Malkin (upper boddy). Both listed as day-to-day.

Who’s on offence

Sidney Crosby: Though he has six goals and 10 assists, he is a minus-12 and is only scoring on 8.7% of his shots over his career rate of 14.6%.

Phil Kessel: Currently the point leader on the team, Kessel must keep his current pace going in order for the Penguins to be successful. Without the depth they had last season, and Crosby not performing up to standards, Pittsburgh is depending on their top players more than last season.

Who’s on defence

Kris Letang: A healthy Letang is a dominant Tanger! Currently fourth in scoring on the roster with 15 points, Letang is pivotal to the Penguins back-end.

Olli Maatta: Like Tanger, when healthy the young Finn is a valuable player scoring 11 points in in 22 games this season.

Who’s in net

Unconfirmed, but expect Matt Murray to get the start following a three-day rest.

Projected lineup

Connor Sheary-Sidney Crosby-Patric Hornqvist

Bryan Rust-Jake Guentzel-Phil Kessel

Carl Hagelin-Riley Sheahan-Josh Archibald

Tom Kuhnhackl-Greg Mckegg-Ryan Reaves

Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang

Olli Maata-Justin Shultz

Matt Hunwick-Ian Cole

Predictions

Isha Jahromi

If Boeser stays hot and finds his scoring touch again, I believe the the Vancouver Canucks can win 3-1. Nilsson will have to be sharp, but he so far he has been just that.

Alex Hoegler

Next: Canucks thoughts: Prospects, Sam Gagner, more

Scott Rosenhek

Matt Murray couldn’t be embarrassed by Brock Boeser twice, right? The Flow gets a pair of goals and I will keep saying this until it happens, but Tommy Gun pots one in too. Despite not having Evgeny Malkin, this will be the game Sidney Crosby wakes up. And if he doesn’t, there’s still Phil Kessel to deal with.