Here’s the skinny heading into Philly

The Canucks are back on the road. Here are some points to ponder ahead of their clash with the Flyers in Philadelphia.

THE BIG MATCHUP

Sean Couturier vs. Bo Horvat

Couturier has a dozen goals — leading the Flyers — centring Claude Giroux. Horvat has eight — leading the Canucks — centring Brock Boeser.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME 1. Can Vanek spark his line?

Markus Granlund, who’s mostly been in a checking role this season, has just three goals. Loui Eriksson, who’s been injured more than he’s been healthy, has none. They’re playing with Thomas Vanek, who’s been quietly everything the Canucks could have hoped for offensively so far; is there magic in this trio?

2. Goaltending

It’s going to be a story all season long because the Canucks don’t have a high-powered offence and they need their goalies to be as stout as possible.

3. Tanev on hold?

Travis Green has thrown curve balls in practice before but if the coach sticks to his guns, Chris Tanev will wait at least another game to get back in the Canucks’ lineup.

4. Canucks still lead league in shot suppression

Even while Tanev has been absent from the lineup for the last two weeks, the Canucks remain the league’s best team at preventing shot attempts against at five on five. Of course, they are fourthworst at directing shot attempts towards the other team’s net, but like needing strong goaltending, their tight defensive game must

continue if they’re to have any chance at the playoffs.

5. Gudas suspended 10 games

The rough-and-tumble Flyers defenceman won’t play against the Canucks after the NHL suspended him 10 games for his “oh sorry didn’t see you” stick chop at the head of Jets forward Mathieu Perreault. Gudas could be replaced in the lineup by Andrew MacDonald, who was a “maybe” after practice Monday. Mark Alt played in Gudas’ spot on Sunday against the Flames. On top of that, the Flyers threw the game away against Calgary with a run of bad second-period penalties. Coach Dave Hakstol wasn’t pleased.