GAME DAY PREVIEW- Game 34- Canucks @ Nashville

Vancouver Canucks (14-16-3) vs Nashville Predators (20-10-1)

Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

When: 4:00 pm PST

Where to Watch: Sportsnet Pacific

SB Nation Opposition Blog: On The Forecheck

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The Prophecy. Mired in one of the worst losing streaks in recent memory (and with this team, that’s saying something), Jason Botchford stood up and called the win a week ago today against what was at the time the best team in the Western Conference. And win it they did, and have not lost since. I don’t think they’ve turned a corner by any means, but it does show you, by the virtue of how these wins have materialized, that the future is going to be different and the rebuild is moving in the right direction.

It may not change their fate this season, but the confidence boost, that they were able to work their way out of that downward spiral is one of those things that make a lasting impact. It wasn’t veteran leadership getting it done, but the kids. You know, the ones we’ve been begging this team to give the reins to, that made this happen.

Let’s get you ready for this afternoon game, alright? The Kuz takes a look at the emergence of Jake Virtanen this season... Uncle Ray knows, there’s lots to be hopeful about, but still much work to be done... Botch also sings Jake’s praises, and discusses dealing Anders Nilsson... And why not go for the hat trick, DT on Jake earning Travis Green’s trust... Speaking of the future, Quinn Hughes spoke with Sportsnet650 yesterday on the upcoming WJC’s in Vancouver/Victoria and his desire to sign with the Canucks... Petrus Palmu is headed back to Finland, which is probably the best thing for his development at the moment

The Utica Comets won 5-2 over the Providence Bruins last night on the strength of 2 Reid Boucher goals, a 31 save performance from Thatcher Demko, and the first career AHL goal from the already legendary Colton Saucerman.

Amazing.

Here’s your projected lineups for tonight via The Province:

CANUCKS

Forwards

Nikolay Goldobin — Bo Horvat — Jake Virtanen

Josh Leivo — Elias Pettersson — Brock Boeser

Antoine Roussel — Markus Granlund — Loui Eriksson

Tim Schaller — Jay Beagle — Tyler Motte

Defence

Alex Edler — Chris Tanev

Ben Hutton — Erik Gudbranson

Derrick Pouliot — Troy Stecher

Goal

Jacob Markstrom — Anders Nilsson

PREDATORS

Forwards

Ryan Hartman — Ryan Johansen — Kevin Fiala

Eeli Tolvanen — Calle Jarnkrok — Craig Smith

Colton Sissons — Nick Bonino — Austin Watson

Miikka Salomaki — Frederick Gaudreau — Rocco Grimaldi

Defence

Roman Josi — Ryan Ellis

Dan Hamhuis — Mattias Ekholm

Matt Irwin — Yannick Weber

Goal

Pekka Rinne — Juuse Saros

INJURIES

Canucks: Brandon Sutter (separated shoulder, IR), Sven Baertschi (concussion, IR).

Predators: Filip Forsberg (undisclosed, IR), Viktor Arvedsson (broken thumb, IR), Kyle Turris (shoulder, IR), P.K. Subban (upper body, IR).

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power play

Canucks: 21st (17.5%)

Predators: 26th (15.1%)

Penalty kill

Canucks: 27th (75.9%)

Predators: 11th (81.6%)

GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN: As the best of the year lists roll in, one album you’ll find on just about every damn one is ‘Firepower’ from Judas Priest. This album sounds fresh, yet contains so many elements of the classic Priest sound, especially the vocals of Rob Halford, leading to their best album since 1990’s ‘Painkiller’. Here’s a great fan-made lyric video for the track ‘Necromancer’. Enjoy the game!