CANUCKS HOBBLE HOME TO FACE FORMIDABLE HABS
Saturday afternoon’s Canucks versus Canadiens matchup at Rogers Arena features two clubs that, a week ago, might have been painted with similar “surprises of the NHL” brushes.
While Montreal plays in the tough Atlantic Division (rivals include Tampa Bay, Boston and Toronto), Vancouver has been flying high in the much weaker Pacific Division (most see the chase out West as being about the Sharks and then everyone else).
Still, it feels a bit like the story has shifted.
The Canucks’ bright start has faded, as the reality of allowing a few too many shots settles in. The Habs are riding high and are playing well enough to think they could keep the trend going.
But there remain similarities: both teams have been pretty adept at scoring goals, the Canucks tied for third-most goals in the NHL while Montreal sits eighth. And on defence, neither team has been a defensive powerhouse. The Canucks have conceded the most goals in the league, while the Habs aren’t far behind. At least it hasn’t been boring hockey from either club.
THE CANUCKS
After a promising start to the season, the Canucks’ ambition hit a wall this week. A run of four losses — the first, last Saturday’s to Buffalo, was in a shootout — has featured a pretty common thread: too many shots against, not enough for, not much luck shooting the puck and some pretty tepid goaltending at their own end.
Until they arrived in New York City this week, scoring hadn’t been a problem. Bo Horvat is still scoring — he has 14 points in 14 road games this season — but Elias Pettersson is now struggling to find the back of the net.
That won’t last, he’s proven to be too good a scorer and he’s still getting opportunities.
THE CANADIENS
The Habs have had a similar week in terms of shots, but when it comes to goals, unlike the
THE INJURY BUG
The Canucks, you might have heard, have been playing without six regulars, even after Chris Tanev made his return. Brock Boeser, Sven Baertschi, Brandon Sutter, Jay Beagle, Alex Edler and Anders Nilsson all remain on theshelf.
That’s hardly helpful for a team like Vancouver, which doesn’t have a lot of scoring depth. Losing front-line wingers like Boeser and Baertschi has hampered the team’s offence, especially with the man advantage.
The Canadiens have been missing captain Shea Weber. Weber is on the road trip and may make his season debut Saturday against the Canucks.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Montreal’s power play is not good. Their penalty killing is OK.
The Canucks’ power play, were it healthy, should be great. But lacking Boeser, Baertschi and point man Edler, the first unit is a mess.
And on the penalty kill, the Canucks had managed to patch things together somewhat after they lost lead man Brandon Sutter, but they’ve nosedived of late.
Neither team can point to their special teams as being part of their feel-good story.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
The Canucks’ long injury list will soon shorten. Getting key players back will help big time. The Canucks are leaning heavily on depth, and while there have been some admirable efforts, there’s no doubt they’re a better team with Boeser, Baertschi and Edler in the lineup.
All three help the Canucks play more in the offensive zone than the defensive end. And Nilsson returning to health will take a load off of Jacob Markstrom’s shoulders in net. Nilsson had been playing well before he broke his hand.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens can’ t wait to get their No .1 defenceman back. Weber may be 33 now, but he remains a force on the Montreal blue-line.