FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
7 p.m., Rogers Arena, TV: Sportsnet Pacific, Radio: Sportsnet 650
1 Faster!
Vancouver coach Travis Green said the key to his team beating Chicago on Wednesday was the Canucks finally started playing “faster.” As a general rule, this means making quick decisions on the puck — which, of course, means players working quickly off the puck, so that they are read to receive passes.
2 Stingy D
The Avs are the second-stingiest defence in the league. They have given up just 27 goals in 12 games this season entering play Thursday; only Arizona has yielded fewer. Credit the best save percentage in the league for the Avs’ success.
3 Sixth-time first
The Canucks start November alone in first place in the Pacific Division for just the sixth time in team history. The last time they were the top team in the division without dispute was 2005-06.
4 Stecher OK, Chatfield up in case
The Canucks made a press box switch Thursday, shipping Guillaume Brisebois back to the AHL, replacing him with Jalen Chatfield. While Troy Stecher is healthy and good to go despite taking a blow to the head Wednesday against the Blackhawks, Green said he figured having a right-shot defence like Chatfield wasn’t a bad idea.
5 Rookie of the month
Elias Pettersson was selected rookie of the month Thursday, the first Canuck to win the opening month edition of the award since Peter Schaefer in 1999. “The fact that he’s picked up the position over here as quick as he has, has really shown to me that he has good understanding of the game … that’s the part of the game that’s hard to grasp and to teach, and with him we haven’t had to worry about that,” Green said.