FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
7 p.m., Rogers Arena, TV: Sportsnet Pacific, Radio: Sportsnet 650
1 Will Green ride the Nilsson wave?
Canucks goaltender Anders Nilsson has been hotter than Jacob Markstrom of late and is coming off a sparkling 44-save performance Saturday in a 6-1 rout of the Boston Bruins. You would like to think head coach
Travis Green would like to ride that momentum wave Tuesday, but he’s also wary of keeping his designated starter sharper. That said, he said this of Nilsson: “I really like how he’s focussed and dialed-in at practice. He’s treating every one like it’s game like. Every good goalie, you can’t score on him in practice. I’ve seen that part change in his game the last couple of months.”
2 One wing at a time for Virtanen
That Jake Virtanen bolt down the left side Saturday, in which the right winger schooled Torey Krug and scored on a backhand-to-forehand move, makes you wonder if he should get a look on the left side. The right shot plays the right side for obvious reasons and has more shooting options cutting across the slot. “I’ve thought of playing him everywhere, but he’s a natural right winger,” said Green. “Has it popped into my head? Yeah. But I want Jake to master playing right wing.”
3 Yet another Eriksson mirage?
We’ve asked the question on several occasions: Where has the wayward winger been? Loui Eriksson scored twice Saturday, had four shots, was a plus-2 and had three takeaways. He was also part of a penalty killing unit that had a clean sheet in not allowing the Bruins a man-advantage goal on five opportunities. Eriksson has always been good away from the puck, but $6 million US for 10 goals in 47 games?
4 No Granlund, no PK problem
Markus Granlund is gone for the season following ankle surgery and the penalty kill was expected to be a problem in the winger’s absence. But the struggling unit has had perfect outings in four of the last five games — 12-for-12 — and Brandon Sutter knows why. “Winning those faceoffs early in a kill and making their top guys go down the ice a couple of extra times and it kind of wears you out on the power play,” said the centre. “And our clears have been better and we haven’t turned many pucks over.”
5 Holm still on hold for Green
After seven seasons in Sweden, recalled defenceman Philip Holm has 11 goals for the Utica Comets, including seven on the power play and could bring what the Canucks desperately need. But he has yet to play an NHL regular-season game. With practice time this week he may finally get in on the upcoming road trip that includes back-to-back games.