FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
7:30 p.m., Honda Center, TV: Sportsnet, Radio: Sportsnet 650 AM
1 Who’s in goal? Jacob Markstrom was held out of Monday night’s game because of a minor injury, one that coach Travis Green was worried about aggravating. So does that mean he’s healthy again to play in Anaheim? Or will the team have to call again on Mike DiPietro, the 19-year-old prospect who did his best but was overmatched by the San Jose Sharks. Or could newly acquired Marek Mazanec make a start?
2 Defence The Canucks’ defence was a worry coming into the season. No new faces on the blue-line for a group that struggled to control its own end or contribute offensively. Until recently, the Canucks had been much improved in this area. But over the past four weeks or so, that storyline has gone south. On Saturday, it was simply a case of too many shots against. Come Monday, it was a case of too many quality shots against a young goaltender. Lots to fix.
3 Horvat’s scoring The Canucks’ spirit leader now has 20 goals after scoring against the Sharks on Monday. He’s been doing everything he can this season to propel the Canucks closer to their dream of: 1) making the playoffs; and 2) evolving into a contender. That he’s scoring again is a great sign for a team that still harbours (faint) playoff hopes. Horvat has goals in two straight games and three in eight games.
4 Playoff hopes Following Monday’s ugly loss, HockeyViz.com projects the Canucks as having a 1-in-7 chance of making the postseason. To say Wednesday’s game in Anaheim and Thursday’s in Los Angeles are must-wins aren’t overstating facts.
5 Kesler’s woes The broken down ex-Canuck keeps playing, but he hasn’t scored since Nov. 6. He has just four goals on the season. Kesler still has three years left after this season on his contract, which carries a cap hit of $6,875,000 per season.