/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70611346/usa_today_13568911.0.jpg)
VANCOUVER CANUCKS (29-23-6) vs WASHINGTON CAPITALS (31-18-10)
ROGERS ARENA, VANCOUVER, BC
7:00PM PST
TV: SPORTSNET PACIFIC, TSN2, TNT. RADIO: SPORTSNET 650
OPPOSING BLOG: JAPERS RINK
The Canucks can pull to within a single point of the Dallas Stars with a win over the Washington Capitals tonight, as they look to win their fourth in a row. They face a Caps team that, barring a massive losing streak, isn’t likely to get caught by the Columbus Blue Jackets for that last playoff spot in the East, but need to be playing better than they have been, having won five of their last ten games.
The Canucks are 8-2-0 in their last ten, and with every win are not only moving closer to a potential playoff spot, but also altering what they do at the trade deadline, which is now just ten days away. We know they’ll be making moves, and it’s going to be about clearing cap space regardless of what happens, but the nature of the moves will be directly affected by this home stand. It’s a pretty hectic stretch, with a game every second night into next week, wrapping up with games Saturday against Calgary and Buffalo Sunday.
The Capitals are coming off a 4-3 OT loss against the Oilers where they salvaged a point by notching the tying goal with less than two seconds remaining. They missed the opportunity to have two players hit major milestones in the same game, as Niklas Backstrom notched his 1000th career point, but Alex Ovechkin was held off the score sheet. A goal would move him past Jaromir Jagr for third place on the all time NHL goal scorers list. So that gives the Canucks the unenviable situation of trying to keep a guy who is now getting booed every time he touches the puck thanks to his close reputation to Vladimir Putin, from achieving a milestone against them. The win is the most important obviously, and it’s not like the game plan isn’t always to neutralize Ovechkin if possible. But he clearly wants it to be tonight against former Caps coach Bruce Boudreau, and that’s gonna be awkward at best.
LINEUPS
Courtesy of nhl.com, this is how tonight’s disasterpiece should play out. We think, anyway.
Capitals projected lineup
Alex Ovechkin — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Conor Sheary
Anthony Mantha — Nicklas Backstrom — T.J. Oshie
Connor McMichael — Lars Eller — Tom Wilson
Axel Jonsson-Fjallby — Nic Dowd — Garnet Hathaway
Martin Fehervary — John Carlson
Trevor van Riemsdyk — Justin Schultz
Scratched: Matt Irwin, Michal Kempny, Daniel Sprong
Injured: Joe Snively (upper body), Carl Hagelin (eye)
Canucks projected lineup
Tanner Pearson — J.T. Miller — Conor Garland
Vasily Podkolzin — Bo Horvat — Brock Boeser
Nils Hoglander — Elias Pettersson — Alex Chiasson
Tyler Motte — Juho Lammikko — Matthew Highmore
Oliver Ekman-Larsson — Tyler Myers
Scratched: Madison Bowey, Sheldon Rempal
Injured: Jason Dickinson (lower body), Kyle Burroughs (upper body), Tucker Poolman (headaches)
It’s Thatcher Demko vs Vitek Vanacek in goal in this one, and it doesn’t look like there will be any changes from the same lineup they’ve been rolling with of late.
GAME DAY CHATTER
"We are using four lines. Every line has got the same opportunity and they're having fun doing it."
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) March 11, 2022
️ Bruce Boudreau on the Canucks scoring 46 goals in the last 10 games.#Canucks | @TheProvince pic.twitter.com/XVeRazBhfo
"It's an exciting time. Every night is an opportunity and for us we're in the fight. We worked to get back here and now it's time to seize that opportunity."
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) March 11, 2022
️ Tyler Motte#Canucks | @TheProvince pic.twitter.com/cKAQfBH2WO
#Canucks are scoring an NHL-best 4.86 goals per game since Feb. 21st.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 11, 2022
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the club has signed Surrey, BC’s Arshdeep Bains to an entry level contract.
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) March 11, 2022
DETAILS | https://t.co/a5uoyOprEa pic.twitter.com/vaVt9n1NMK
The Vancouver Canucks will celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community on March 11th against the Washington Capitals during the annual pride game, presented by @TD_Canada.
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) March 10, 2022
DETAILS | https://t.co/WiwE74mGXJ pic.twitter.com/VtenuXgsjE
Sadly, homophobic language still exists in the game of hockey. Join us tomorrow for Pride Night presented by @TD_Canada. Together, let's #MakeTheCall to support a more inclusive game. Visit the link below to learn more.
— Bo Horvat (@BoHorvat) March 10, 2022
https://t.co/Sc9otCtWry pic.twitter.com/f9sNNvv5uL
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
It’s Pride Night, so we’re going to go with the man who started the process of the heavy metal scene dealing with its homophobia issues. Rob Halford isn’t the only 2SLGBTQIA+ member of the metal scene, but he was the first to come out, and help lead the path for all metalheads to remember that metal is supposed to be a place where anyone can belong if you love the music. Halford coming out helped pave the way for others, as we’ve seen members of CYNIC, LIFE OF AGONY, FAITH NO MORE, VILE CREATURE, and many more.
Enjoy the game, everyone! Go Canucks Go and Happy Pride Night!
Loading comments...