Canucks gameday: Playoff push continues against the Wild
By Alex Hoegler
![VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 4: Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild and Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks stand in front of Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild during their NHL game at Rogers Arena December 4, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 4: Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild and Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks stand in front of Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild during their NHL game at Rogers Arena December 4, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/10a68108f03b992a9d9a310ba43dc2cb8cc67e29497861d68201da65ffdd83f0.jpg)
One day after a thrilling 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres, the Vancouver Canucks look to make it two in a row against the Minnesota Wild.
The Vancouver Canucks shrugged off back-to-back blowout losses on Saturday afternoon by defeating the Buffalo Sabres 6-3, but they’ll face an even greater test in Sunday’s matinee against the Minnesota Wild.
This marks the first of a three-game season series between the former Northwest Division rivals. The Canucks visit a Wild team that boasts a superb 11-4-4 record at the Xcel Energy Center — though they’ve dropped four of their last five games.
Both clubs are in a tight playoff race, but Elias Pettersson and company could really distance themselves from the Wild with a regulation win. Vancouver sits at 52 points for the season, while Minnesota is barely hanging around with 46 points.
Sunday’s tilt with the Wild marks the fourth of a five-game road trip. Vancouver will then travel north of the border to take on the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night, before heading home for a three-game set at Rogers Arena.
Players to watch
Quinn Hughes: It’s been quite the rookie year for the 20-year-old, who was named to the 2020 NHL All-Star Game on Saturday. Hughes will be counted upon to key in trying to shut down Minnesota’s top line, but he’s also riding the hot stick offensively. Hughes has a goal and two assists over his last five contests.
Eric Staal: He may be 35 now, but age hasn’t slowed Staal down in the slightest. He leads Minnesota in goals (16), points (33) and even strength goals (11).
Brock Boeser: The Burnsville, Minnesota native returns to his home state. Xcel Energy Center brings back wonderful memories for Boeser, who scored a goal in his NHL debut here on March 25th, 2017. He picked up two goals in Saturday’s win against the Sabres.
Zach Parise: Like Staal, Parise has defied his age with another superb campaign. The former All-Star has 14 goals and 26 points on the season.
Prediction: 4-3 Canucks
The Canucks will have it tough, playing their fourth game since Tuesday — in one of the league’s toughest environments. But following an excellent outing in Buffalo, it’s hard to bet against a team that’s been firing on all cylinders as of late.
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Vancouver may struggle to keep up with Minnesota’s top scorers in the early going, but the Lotto Line will come through with a pair of third period goals to put the game away.