FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
7 p.m., Rogers Arena TV: Sportsnet; Radio: Sportsnet 650
1 Knights on crusade
Don’t look now, but the Knights are just two points out of first place in the Pacific Division. Of course both the Flames and the Sharks have games in hand, but both those squads have fallen to Vegas over the past four games. Last season’s Stanley Cup finalists have won four straight games and have scored 19 goals in the process. This offence is clicking.
2 Shots, shots, shots
During the Canucks’ recent eight-game losing streak, they were quite simply giving up too many shots. They’ve turned that story around over the past week, though they have just one win to show for their improved play.
3 Points for Pettersson
The Canucks’ rookie star has just three goals and an assist over his past 10 games. And while some of the story is his sky-high shooting percentage coming back to earth, there was also a stretch early on the big road trip at the beginning of November where he was struggling to generate shots. Thankfully, that didn’t last long and he’s now back to controlling the play.
4 Boeser bounce
The return of Brock Boeser to the Canucks’ lineup can only be a good thing. Skating on Pettersson’s wing Tuesday, the line dominated play at even strength. They were probably unlucky not to score, with three high-danger chances to their credit. Surely a goal or two is set to come.
5 Hutton-Stecher
Erik Gudbranson suffered a neck problem Monday. He was a scratch Tuesday. Troy Stecher stepped into the breach, and was very solid next to Ben Hutton. Plenty of observers have said the duo would do well moving the puck out of their zone and stopping the other team’s rushes. They did just that.