FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1 Can Vanek spark his line?
Markus Granlund, who has mostly been in a checking role this season, has just three goals. Loui Eriksson, who has been injured more than he has been healthy, has none. They’re playing with Thomas Vanek, who has been quietly doing everything the Canucks could have hoped for offensively so far. Is there magic in this trio?
2 Goaltending
It’s going to be a story all season long, no matter the performance, because at the end of the day, the Canucks don’t have a high powered offence and they need their goalies to be as stout as possible.
3 Tanev on hold?
Travis Green has thrown curve balls in practice before but if the coach sticks to his guns Chris Tanev will wait at least another game to get back in the Canucks’ lineup. The coach said his best defenceman was still likely out against the Flyers.
4 Shot supression
Even while Tanev has been absent from the lineup the last two weeks, the Canucks remain the league’s best team at preventing shot against at five on five. Of course, they’re fourth-worst at directing shots towards the other team’s net, but like needing strong goaltending, their tight defensive game must continue if they’re to have any chance at the playoffs.
5 Gudas suspended
The rough-and-tumble Flyers defenceman won’t play against the Canucks after the NHL suspended him 10 games for his stick chop to the head of Jets forward Mathieu Perreault. Gudas could be replaced in the lineup by Andrew MacDonald, who was a “maybe” after practice Monday. Mark Alt played in Gudas’ spot Sunday against the Flames, a game the Flyers threw away with a run of bad second period penalties. Coach Dave Hakstol wasn’t pleased.