Back at it in Pittsburgh
The Canucks beat the Penguins 4-2 at The Rog three weeks ago. Is a repeat performance in store?
THE BIG MATCHUP Sidney Crosby vs. Brandon Sutter
Is there any way to say Sid the Kid isn’t the key to the Penguins’ success? No, there isn’t. Brandon Sutter has been getting the big minutes this season against the opposition’s top centre and here he is facing the team that sent him away. Will Sutter get the matchup again? Or will Bo Horvat get it, like he did when the Canucks hosted Pittsburgh on Nov. 4 and the home team won 4-2?
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Pouliot goes back home. The Canucks’ blue-liner has played well since being traded by the Penguins on the eve of the season. Heading back to the team that first drafted you is always special and you figure Derrick Pouliot will be hoping to make a point.
2.
Tanev back? Chris Tanev didn’t play Tuesday in Philadelphia, but he may draw back in against the Penguins. Getting his best defenceman back will be a big relief for Canucks coach Travis Green, who will be able to push a few defencemen back in to roles that suit them better.
3.
No Dorsett. Derek Dorsett flew home to Vancouver Tuesday because of stiffness in his neck and back. You’ll recall he had surgery last season to repair a serious disc problem. With Dorsett out, who will be looked to for sandpaper? Jake Virtanen?
4.
Daniel chasing 1,000. After picking up a goal and an assist in Tuesday night’s game in Philadelphia, Daniel Sedin is now four points shy of 1,000 career points. The milestone is quickly approaching.
5.
No Malkin. The Canucks avoid the other great Penguins centre this time around, as Pittsburgh announced Evgeni Malkin is out with an upper body injury.
CANUCKS’ GAME-DAY LINES LW—C—RW
Sven Baertschi, Bo Horvat, Brock ■
Boeser
Sam Gagner, Brandon Sutter,
■
Brendan Gaunce
Thomas Vanek, Markus Granlund, ■
Loui Eriksson
Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Jake
■
Virtanen
Defence pairings
Ben Hutton, Erik Gudbranson ■ Michael Del Zotto, Derrick Pouliot ■ Alex Edler, Alex Biega ■ Starting goalie
Anders Nilsson ■ Sick bay Chris Tanev (thumb) ■ Troy Stecher (knee) Derek Dorsett (neck)
PENGUINS’ GAME DAY LINES LW—C—RW
Conor Sheary, Sidney Crosby,
■
Patric Hornqvist
Bryan Rust, Jake Guentzel, Phil
■
Kessel
Carl Hagelin, Riley Sheahan, Josh
■
Archibald
Greg McKegg, Carter Rowney, Ryan ■
Reaves
Defence pairings
Brian Dumoulin, Kris Letang Olli Maatta, Justin Schultz Matt Hunwick, Ian Cole
Starting goalie
Matt Murray
Sick bay
Evgeni Malkin (upper body)
Power play
Canucks: 16.3% (23rd) Penguins: 22.9% (4th)
Penalty kill
Canucks: 79.5% (21st) Penguins: 77.3% (25th)
NHL ranking Canucks: 24th Penguins: 9th