GAME DAY IN THE BUBBLE PREVIEW- CANUCKS VS GOLDEN KNIGHTS: GAME FOUR

VANCOUVER CANUCKS vs VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

7:30 PM PDT THE BUBBLE @ ROGERS PLACE, EDMONTON, AB

TV: SPORTSNET, CBC,NBCSN. RADIO: SN650.

OPPOSITION BLOG: KNIGHTS ON ICE

Nobody said this would be easy.

And remember, the Vancouver Canucks aren’t really supposed to be here. That being said, they’ve done a remarkable job of responding to adversity in these pandemic playoffs. Every time their opponent looked to be getting back into this series, or even taking control of it, there was a response. We can expect one tonight from Travis Green and his crew.

Frustrating loss last night? Of course. Vegas got all the bounces and withstood the storm, while making the most of their chances. Sound familiar? It should, because it’s been the way they’ve gotten through the post-season thus far. This isn’t rocket science, they just have to get back to what’s worked and avoid getting caught doing what hasn’t. The Canucks have yet to face elimination in this post-season, and while there’s no shame in going down to a team like the Golden Knights, I don’t think that any of us are ready to see this unexpected playoff run come to an end just yet. And neither are the Canucks.

LINEUPS

Golden Knights projected lineup

Max Pacioretty — William Karlsson — Mark Stone

Reilly Smith — Paul Stastny — Jonathan Marchessault

Nick Cousins — Nicolas Roy — Alex Tuch

William Carrier — Chandler Stephenson — Ryan Reaves

Shea Theodore — Alec Martinez

Brayden McNabb — Nate Schmidt

Zach Whitecloud — Nick Holden

Robin Lehner

Marc-Andre Fleury

Scratched: Patrick Brown, Dylan Coghlan, Oscar Dansk, Reid Duke, Deryk Engelland, Nicolas Hague, Keegan Kolesar, Peyton Krebs, Jon Merrill, Gage Quinney

Unfit to play: Tomas Nosek

Canucks projected lineup

Tanner Pearson — Elias Pettersson — Tyler Toffoli

J.T. Miller — Bo Horvat — Brock Boeser

Antoine Roussel — Adam Gaudette — Brandon Sutter

Tyler Motte — Jay Beagle — Jake Virtanen

Alexander Edler — Troy Stecher

Quinn Hughes — Christopher Tanev

Oscar Fantenberg — Jordie Benn

Jacob Markstrom

Thatcher Demko

Scratched: Olli Juolevi, Justin Bailey, Jalen Chatfield, Louis Domingue, Tyler Graovac, Brogan Rafferty, Loui Eriksson

Unfit to play: Micheal Ferland, Josh Leivo, Tyler Myers

It shouldn’t be a shock if both squads decide to go with their backup goaltenders tonight, and there have been rumblings on Twitter that Vegas will do just that and start Marc-Andre Fleury. Personally, I think giving Jacob Markstrom a night off and allowing Thatcher Demko to have this one is going to serve them well win or lose, because either way it gives Marky some rest heading into Game 5 and that could end up being a huge thing.

One thing was pretty obvious from last night’s game, is that J.T. Miller is playing with an injury. From not taking faceoffs to his shot having nothing on it, he’s definitely hurting, and that is a big blow to the Canucks chances. Who’s gonna step up tonight?

PREGAME CHATTER:

GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN:

In an old school mood today, so for tonight’s Trial By Fire, let’s throw on some ‘The New Order’ era TESTAMENT. Go Canucks Go!