The Vancouver Canucks (3-1-2) return home from a successful four-game road trip to take on Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins (3-5-1). Last year, the two teams split the season series, with each team capturing 4-3 overtime victories on the road. This game will be special for multiple reasons, as not only will the Canucks be wearing their black skate jerseys, but the organization will also be honouring Tyler Myers, who played his 1,000th career game while on the road trip.
The biggest key for Vancouver heading into this game will be the counterattack. The Penguins are close to the top of the league in turnovers and give up a ton of rush chances on a nightly basis. If the Canucks can stay patient and play tight defensive coverage, there should be plenty of opportunities for odd-man rushes.
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Players To Watch:
Kiefer Sherwood:
Kiefer Sherwood has been a wrecking ball this season. He leads the NHL with 44 hits and tied a franchise record with 12 in Vancouver’s last game. Sherwood is projected to have a massive impact on the game as he looks to extend his current point streak to four games.
Sidney Crosby:
It feels like Crosby always finds a way onto the scoresheet when he faces the Canucks. In 23 career games, he has 12 goals to go along with 12 assists. One of 14 players in NHL history with over 1,000 assists, Crosby could be in store for a big night as he returns to the ice where he scored the 2010 Winter Olympics Golden Goal.
Vancouver Canucks Projected Lineup:
DeBrusk-Miller-Boeser
Höglander-Pettersson-Garland
Heinen-Blueger-Sherwood
Suter-Åman-Bains
Hughes-Hronek
Soucy-Myers
Brännström-Desharnais
Lankinen
Šilovs
Top 5 Scoring Leaders (Goals, Assists, Points):
Vancouver Canucks (3-1-2):
Brock Boeser: 4-2-6
Conor Garland: 3-3-6
J.T. Miller: 3-3-6
Quinn Hughes: 1-5-6
Danton Heinen: 2-2-4
Pittsburgh Penguins (3-5-1)
Evgeni Malkin: 2-9-11
Sidney Crosby: 1-6-7
Lars Eller: 4-2-6
Erik Karlsson: 1-5-6
Rickard Rakell: 4-1-5
Game Information:
Start Time: 7:00 PM PT
Venue: Rogers Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
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