GAME DAY PREVIEW- GAME EIGHT: Canucks vs Philadelphia- Oct 28, 2021

VANCOUVER CANUCKS (3-3-1) vs PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (3-1-1)

ROGERS ARENA, VANCOUVER, BC

7:00PM PST

TV: SPORTSNET. RADIO: SPORTSNET 650

OPPOSING BLOG: BROAD STREET HOCKEY

In what could be viewed as a good measurement of how the Canucks stack up compared to the big dogs in the Western Conference, they came up a little short. They hope to stop another losing skid from starting as they welcome the Philadelphia Flyers for the second game of the homestand, and their second and final meeting of the season.

The last time these teams met, the Canucks were the better team for a fairly good chunk of the game, until the officials got involved in a big way and let the Flyers sneak in the back door and tie things up. Carter Hart managed to get them through the overtime, but got schooled in the shootout for the Canucks' first victory of the season.

The key tonight is to ensure that they can close the deal should they find themselves in the lead during the final frame. It’s something the team has struggled with over the past few years: defensive breakdowns late in the game that sees them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

They’ll need to take advantage of power play opportunities, something the Flyers seem to give out quite a bit. And with the Oilers outshooting and out-chancing the Flyers last night, perhaps a bit of fatigue to work in the Canucks favour? This is an improving Philly team that will absolutely burn you if you give them the chance. Cam Atkinson’s been an absolute beast for them this season, so expect to see a lot of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Tyler Myers out against his line tonight.

LINEUPS

Will have to see what happens with Poolman, if he can’t go expect Luke Schenn to draw in tonight in his place. Jason Dickinson is out tonight as well, so there’s gonna be a bit of shuffling going on.

For the Flyers, they don’t practice today since they played in Edmonton last night (a 5-3 win, thank you Philly), but here’s their projected lineup ahead of tonight’s game.

Forwards

Claude Giroux — Sean Couturier — Travis Konecny

Joel Farabee — Derrick Brassard — Cam Atkinson

Oskar Lindblom — Scott Laughton — James van Riemsdyk

Nicholas Aube-Kubel — Nate Thompson — Zack MacEwen

Defence

Ivan Provorov — Justin Braun

Travis Sanheim — Rasmus Ristolainen

Keith Yandle — Nick Seeler

Zack MacEwen will face the Canucks for the first time since he was claimed on waivers by the Flyers earlier this month. It’ll be Martin Jones for the Flyers tonight as Carter Hart got the win in Edmonton last night.

GAME DAY CHATTER

GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN

Sometimes you just wanna smash shit, y’know. Here’s the soundtrack for days like this...