Canucks Game Preview: Facing the Flames for a second time

After two consecutive losses to the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames, the Vancouver Canucks are looking ahead and focusing on the game at hand. It’ll be the second game Vancouver versus the Flames, but this time they’ll have their 2019-20 leading scorer back in the lineup.

After a COVID-19 scare kept J.T. Miller sidelined in Vancouver forcing him to miss the first three games of the season under NHL protocol, he’s been cleared to join the team in Calgary. In fact, Miller flew on a private jet yesterday and arrived in time to participate with the team in practice.

Taking his rightful place next to Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, the Lotto Line is back in action. He’s been quick to show his leadership — something the team has clearly missed — and they’ll be looking to get even with former teammate, Jacob Markstrom, who shut out Vancouver by a score of 3-0 on Saturday night.

The Canucks lineup

The revolving door of wingers that have attempted to fill-in for Miller during his absence can come to a grinding halt. Jake Virtanen hasn’t exactly been a terrific substitute, nobody has really. It’s a guarantee that Miller will slot in on the Canucks’ top line as he’ll be a spark plug in helping Pettersson be productive.

The second line will remain the same. Nils Hoglander has proven he’s capable of playing big minutes and being responsible enough defensively in the eye of Travis Green. His skill and speed, along with his relentless puck work gives Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson something special. A two-way line that’s effective in all situations.

I don’t expect much of the lineup to change from there. What’s been seen in the latter days of training camp should be what people see on the ice tonight. Adam Gaudette, Antoine Roussel, and Virtanen making up an energy-based third line, while veterans Brandon Sutter and Jay Beagle play defensive minutes next to Tyler Motte.

The only question mark on defence is Quinn Hughes. The Canucks top blueliner was absent in practice as Nate Schmidt skated with Vancouver’s top unit power play. But given the fact that Hughes has been the Canucks’ biggest minute-muncher through three games in four nights, Green could have elected to give his star defender a much-needed rest.

Thatcher Demko should be the man between the pipes tonight. Why he didn’t get the nod from Green in the team’s first meeting against the Flames is a bit of a head-scratcher. Nothing against Braden Holtby, but in my opinion, he doesn’t understand the desire to win such a game. The storyline between Demko, Markstrom and the rest of the Canucks should have been the driving factor of that game. Regardless, Demko will get his shot against Markstrom tonight.

The Flames lineup

Considering the Flames shutout the Canucks and are yet to lose in regulation, I don’t see Geoff Ward making many adjustments to his lineup, especially in goal. Markstrom is being paid to be the guy for the Flames and he’ll get every opportunity to do so.

From net out, the entire lineup should remain the same. Matthew Tkachuk, Elias Lindholm and Dillon Dube have come a long way in becoming the team’s top trio. That makes Josh Leivo’s signing in Calgary a no-brainer as he’s riding shotgun next to Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan on what could be one of the NHL’s best second lines.

Andrew Mangiapane, Sam Bennett and Michael Backlund are a run and gun speedy third line, leaving Milan Lucic, Derek Ryan and Dominik Simon as a trio on the team’s fourth line.

As for defence, Chris Tanev has been an excellent stay-at-home guy for Calgary, and you know he’ll get some big minutes against his former squad. In their first matchup, Tanev blocked six shots en route to a Markstrom shutout. Don’t expect any changes at all.

Players to watch

J.T. Miller: He’s back and he’ll be chomping at the bit to get going. The team’s leading scorer should have a lot of energy to burn off as he’ll bring it to the team’s top line. He’ll also play a key role in helping the Canucks power play get on the scoresheet.

Jacob Markstrom: He’ll be determined to get the best of his former team once again. Through two starts, Markstrom holds a 1.98 GAA, a 0.939 SV% and one shutout. Look for him to be playing his best hockey.

Puck drop

The Canucks and Flames battle it out tonight in Calgary with the contest kicking off at 6 PM Pacific time. The Canucks will look to bring themselves back to an even record, and the Flames will try to send the Canucks back to Vancouver with their tails between their legs.