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At one point this season, the Canucks were winning games (and at least staying in games) thanks to one of the NHL's best penalty kills. Slowly, it has been fading to the point of it now being a legit liability when the Canucks take a penalty. I'm not sure what the hell they're doing different, but teams certainly seem to have figured out the Canucks when they're shorthanded, and it's costing the Canucks points in the standings. Willie Desjardins likely thinks that, just like the PP, it's gonna come around, so just stop worrying. Everything is fine in Canuckville...
| Canucks |
CATEGORY |
Predators
|
| 20-19-6 | SEASON RECORD | 20-16-7 |
| 46 | Points | 47 |
| 6th | Division Position | 4th |
| OT3 | Streak | Won 3 |
| 2.38 (25) |
Goals For Per 60 (GF60) |
2.74 (13) |
| 2.84 (20) |
Goals Against Per 60 (GA60) |
2.58 (10) |
| 13.4 (27) | Power Play % | 18.2 (16) |
| 79.8 (22) | Penalty Kill % | 82.7 (13) |
| 52.3 (5) | Faceoff Win % | 48.8 (20) |
| 8.5 (22) |
Shooting % | 8.9 (15) |
| 48.7 (21) |
Corsi For % | 51.0 (11) |
| 99.2 (20) |
PDO | 100.3 (11) |
Stats from NHL.com and www.hockey-reference.com
THE OPPOSITION
Why, it just seems like days ago that these two teams played an absolutely dreadful game, that came alive in OT, only to see the Canucks give up a shorthanded goal with just over a second left in OT in a loss that will live on as one of the most Canuck losses of this generation. Nashville on the other hand has been righting the ship, it would seem, and have now won 3 straight as they head into Rogers Arena tonight.
The Preds are coming off a 3-2 win Saturday in Colorado that saw Cody McLeod pot one against the team that just traded him to Nashville, and square off with Jarome Iginla to boot. Add in that the Preds could possibly get PK Subban back in the lineup tonight and they look like they may be ready to make a serious charge for a playoff spot.
THE CANUCKS
Meanwhile, the Canucks are still trying to figure out why doing the same thing over and over on the PP isn't working for them. This morning on TSN1040, Ben Kuzma offered up one suggestion that, well... should be fairly obvious to anyone who watches this team:
‘@benkuzma: #Canucks don't have a net-front presence on the PP. #CanucksOn1040 https://t.co/JcQ9zK7I0V
— TSN Radio Vancouver (@TSN1040) January 17, 2017
And despite all these issues, Ryan Miller has continued to help keep the Canucks in games, playing his mind out a lot of nights. So when this news was announced by the NHL, you start to wonder how this is going to affect the Canucks...
NHL has issued memo to all clubs/goalies saying all netminders must be wearing the "new" re-designed/size appropriate pants by Feb 4.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 17, 2017
Miller is a target of criticism by some who say he is exploiting the rules with his equipment. Whether he is or not, can someone please explain to me why the NHL is altering rules in the middle of a season? What sport would do this? Even if Miller or any other goalie was doing this, it's sheer lunacy to do this now.
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Not gonna lie, when I stumbled across this video the other day I laughed. Hard. So after a few watches, I found myself not laughing so much at these guys who seem to have teleported directly from 1983 and realized that holy shit, this band kicks a metric fucktonne of ass (that's a real measurement, seriously) (maybe not). Based in Finland, they are the living, breathing epitome of the term 'old school metal' and despite my initial reaction I am a fan.