Canucks vs. Kings
The Vancouver Canucks are reeling after losing two straight in California. They’ll try to stop that slide tonight in Los Angeles against the Kings, who sport the second-best record in the Western Conference.
THE BIG MATCHUP
Sutter vs. Kopitar
Anze Kopitar is riding an eight-game point streak and the big Kings centre is a load to handle in the neutral zone and down low. Brandon Sutter must win his share of draws and work well in a shutdown role with Derek Dorsett and possibly Brendan Gaunce.
KEYS TO THE GAME 1. Power play on display
The Canucks have gone five of the last six games without a power-play goal. Something has to give. The Canucks will ice three manadvantage units — Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Loui Eriksson/Sven BaertschiBo Horvat-Brock Boeser/ Thomas Vanek-Markus Granlund-Sam Gagner — in hopes of scoring on the league’s top penalty kill.
2. Granlund back in action
Markus Granlund had 19 goals last season with a wonky wrist before surgery. He has two goals and moving between Vanek and Gagner should give him better looks at the net. He has been effective in a shutdown role and will be better in the middle at even strength than Alexander Burmistrov, who will sit after doing little in San Jose.
3. Is it time for a Nilsson sighting?
Travis Green won’t reveal his starting goalie until the game-day skate today, but there’s a chance Anders Nilsson will see the net for the first time since Oct. 26. Nilsson could be effective against the crease-crashing Kings. He’s more stoic in the net than Jacob Markstrom and not prone to overact on the initial shot.
4. Get those pucks up on Quick
Jonathan Quick’s postto-post movement takes away low scoring chances. He doesn’t give up soft goals and the only real ways to beat him are to take away his eyes with crease traffic and get pucks up in a hurry.
5. Eriksson’s effort good sign
Loui Eriksson had five shots and logged 18:16 in San Jose after missing a dozen games with an MCL knee sprain. He showed some renewed chemistry with Henrik and Daniel Sedin and needs to be a down-low difference maker tonight.