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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:
tonight's the night, let's go https://t.co/VAkqY7lNmp
— Jason Botchford (@botchford) December 6, 2018
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
#Canucks prospect Petrus Palmu has signed a contract with TPS for the remainder of the season. Palmu had a rough start to the season in the AHL but his return should give extra boost to TPS' offense. https://t.co/uXAGuiHQqW
— Finnish Jr Hockey (@FINjrhockey) December 13, 2018
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.
FEAR. THE. BEARD. @Sauce_2392 scores in his first game as a Comet!#GetSauced #PROvsUTI pic.twitter.com/BVlcVjCZjj
— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) December 13, 2018
Amazing.
— Ryan Hocking (@RyanHocking22) December 13, 2018
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!
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