CANUCKS GAME DAY
THE BIG MATCHUP
Alex Ovechkin vs. Chris Tanev
The man they call Ovie started the NHL regular season on fire, scoring seven times in the Capitals’ first two games. He’s cooled off some, but still scored three times in the following seven games. He remains one of the league’s elite snipers. Who else but Chris Tanev will look to stop him?
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Rolling Sedins
They’re not the elite point producers they once were, but Henrik and Daniel Sedin are registering strong shot numbers. Coach Travis Green has dialed back on their ice time, but Henrik still leads the team in shot differential rate. The twins are also among the team’s best when you look at shot quality. Looks like they’ve just been a bit unlucky so far.
2. Dynamite Dorsett
The rest of the line has struggled to make an impact, but Derek Dorsett has fired home five goals. But in only two other seasons has he scored more: seven in his first season with the Canucks in 2014-15 and 12 in 2011-12 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. In other words, handing him and his linemates the most ice time on the team is not going to continue to be a recipe for success.
3. Shots, shots, shots
The good news for the Canucks is the Capitals haven’t proven to be possession giants this season. They’ve given up slightly more shots than they’ve taken — and those that they’ve taken have been poor. The Canucks, on the other hand, have been keeping the pace low, but getting better shots than their opponents.
4. Rocking Nilsson
We’re back in a goaltending controversy thanks to the fine play of the Canucks’ other Swede on Tuesday. Anders Nilsson recorded his second shutout in three games as the Canucks beat the Minnesota Wild 1-0. It’s difficult to see how the steady big man doesn’t get his first home start against the Capitals.
5. Bowey bringing it
Former Kelowna Rockets defenceman Madison Bowey has only played four times in his rookie season, but he’s made an impact. The Caps are consistently playing at the right end of the rink when he’s on the ice.
LINES LW-C-RW
Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Jake ■
Virtanen
Sven Baertschi-Bo Horvat-Brock ■
Boeser
Sam Gagner-Alex Burmistro v Thomas
■ Vanek
Markus Granlund-Brandon
■
Sutter-Derek Dorsett
Defence pairings
Ben Hutton-Chris Tanev ■ Michael Del Zotto-Erik Gudbranson ■
Derrick Pouliot-Alex Biega
■
Starting goalie: Anders Nilsson Sick Bay
Alex Edler (knee) Loui Eriksson (knee) Troy Stecher (knee)
CAPITALS LINES LW-C-RW
Tom Wilson-Nicklas BackstromT.J. ■ Oshie
Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny
■
Kuznetsov-Alex Chiasson
Jakub Vrana-Lars Eller-Brett
■
Connolly
Nathan Walker-Jay BeagleDevante
■ Smith-Pelly Defence pairings
Christian Djoos-John Carlson ■ Brooks Orpik-Madison Bowey ■ Dmitry Orlov-Taylor Chorney ■
Goalie: Braden Holtby Sick Bay
Andre Burakovsky (thumb) Tyler Graovac (upper body) Matt Niskanen (hand)
POWER PLAY Canucks: 10% (28th) Capitals: 25% (seventh)
PENALTY KILL Canucks: 82.9% (13th) Capitals: 76.9% (18th)
NHL RANK Canucks: 10th Capitals: 25th