Canucks v Capitals: Saturday Night's Alright for Scoring?

First some truth:

There are elements and factors in this hockey market that are highly toxic. Plain n' simple.

— Lee Powell (@leepowellST) October 29, 2016

It's been highly amusing to me to watch the irrational exuberance of 4-0 turn into the irrational despair of the past week. The season isn't ten games old. I know patient watchful waiting and sports blogging do not go hand in hand, but this is embarrassing, that is if one is still capable of being embarrassed by Canucks fans' online presence.

Going into the year, we all should have been prepared for a tough one. It's going to be nip and tuck all year unless injuries derail the team. And while much virtual ink has been spilled on Jake Virtanen, Bo Horvat, Jack Skille and, of course, Luca Sbisa and Philip Larsen, I'd suggest the real problem may be the Sedins and their continued lack of effectiveness 5v5. If they've taken a bigger than expected step back, Canucks are in trouble.

But please, let's let the season breathe before panicking.

Confirmed by @TSN1040 pre-game with @patersonjeff
DSedin HSedin Hansen
Granlund Sutter Eriksson https://t.co/2wGiTfpd7b

— Jon Abbott (@HockeyAbbs) October 30, 2016

Jacob Markstrom Starts in goal.

Meanwhile, down on the farm:

#Comets forward lines tonight:
Bancks-Valk-Grenier
Hulak-Chaput-Carcone
Kunyk-DeSimone-Rendulic
LaPlante-Hamilton-Archibald

— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) October 29, 2016

That's mighty thin.

Ashton Sautner is leaving the ice on a stretcher.

— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) October 30, 2016

Capitals line-up:

READ: Grubi in goal, #Caps seeking offensive spark from line changes and more in @VogsCaps' #CapsNucks gameday blog. https://t.co/ibiStUU1mN pic.twitter.com/ExAfDIMCWG

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 29, 2016

Joey's pre-game notes:

Some extra notes/tidbits before @Canucks @Capitals: #Canucks are 8-1-1 vs #Caps in last 10 meetings at @RogersArena dating back to 98/99...

— Joey Kenward (@kenwardskorner) October 30, 2016

Expect 2 grumpy teams tonite. @Canucks winless in last 4, incl. B2B shut-outs. @Capitals have B2B losses in reg for 1st time since Mar.2015.

— Joey Kenward (@kenwardskorner) October 30, 2016

.@Canucks see @capitals @ovi8 tonite, who's scored in 4 straight. His last trip to @RogersArena(Oct.22/15) saw him with a 4-game goal streak

— Joey Kenward (@kenwardskorner) October 30, 2016

Tonight @Canucks see @Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer for 1st time. Former Memorial Cup winner was former OHL teammate of Erik Gudbranson.

— Joey Kenward (@kenwardskorner) October 30, 2016

Hockey Night in Canada, Saturday, Halloween weekend. Lots of reasons to be pumped for this one. Enjoy!

Go Canucks Go!