FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
Goaltending
The Canucks presumed No. 1 goalie Jacob Markstrom was fine against the New Jersey Devils on Friday. He was not fine enough to win the game. He was beat for three goals and it was the fifth time in seven games his save percentage was below .900. This one feels like an Anders Nilsson start, the Canucks’ backup who hasn’t yet been given a chance to get a few consecutive starts.
Brock Boeser
Vancouver’s offence already leans heavily on the impressive rookie. He was kept in control by the New Jersey Devils Friday, the first game in five he didn’t score. The Devils paid a lot of attention to Boeser. They shadowed him at times when he didn’t have the puck and Taylor Hall levelled him with a massive hit. Things will only get tougher for Boeser as his story grows this season.
Ryan McDonagh absence
How are the Rangers surviving without McDonagh? New York’s captain will continue to be out for Sunday’s matinee against the Canucks. In Friday’s 2-1 win against Detroit, the Rangers top minute-eater on defence was Brady Skjei. Brendan Smith has been serviceable and the Rangers have been playing him on his offside after a big off-season contract.
Canucks’ power play
It continued its hot streak in New Jersey scoring for the eighth time in six games, since the team moved Boeser and Bo Horvat to the unit with the Sedins. Boeser has been getting all the attention but it was Horvat who scored Friday showing some soft hands in a tight space in front of goalie Cory Schneider. Also encouraging for the Canucks, the second unit has been getting chances.
Matchup lines
One of the most significant changes coach Travis Green has made in terms of in-game strategizing in Vancouver is his use of a shutdown line. He has leaned heavily on centre Brandon Sutter to counter top lines from the opposition. But Sutter didn’t finish Friday’s game with an injury and Green is already without Derek Dorsett who flew home to have numbness in his neck checked out.