Team must be on Point when facing Lightning
THE BIG MATCHUP
Jay Beagle versus Brayden Point
If Bo Horvat is matched against Steven Stamkos in another supreme shutdown test, Jay Beagle will probably see a lot of diminutive speedster Brayden Point. The five-foot-10, 166-pound Calgary native has 21 goals and 43 points and was 10th in league scoring after 34 games. He also centres fleet-footed Tyler Johnson and triggerman Nikita Kucherov (1434-48), who was fourth in league scoring following a 5-4 overtime loss in Winnipeg on Sunday that snapped the Lightning’s eightgame win streak. Point also leads Tampa with nine power-play goals and because Beagle also draws into the top penalty-kill pairing, he could have a busy night if the Canucks don’t adhere to what they ’ve done lately: playing hard and with discipline.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Win the big even-strength battle The Bolts are first in goals scored, even-strength goals, first-period goals and second-period goal differential. They’re also second in second-period goals and third in third-period goals, so forget about playing catch-up. The Canucks had third-period comebacks for a win in Columbus and an overtime loss in Nashville, but this will be tougher. Tampa is second when leading after one period (11-1-1) and leading after two (17-2-1).
2. Power play must find its way
The Canucks had five powerplay chances against Edmonton on Sunday and two of them were from drawing interference and hooking minors. Alex Edler, Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson all struck on the power play, the first time the Canucks bagged that many this season.
3. Roussel can really reel it in Antoine Roussel has gone away from taking bad offensive-zone penalties. He’s second in league minors, but has been assessed but one minor in the last seven games and two in the last 10. On Sunday, he drew a holding minor that led to a PP goal, had two scoring chances and helped shut down Connor McDavid’s line.
4. Tanev can play hurt, play hard Chris Tanev was struck on the hip by a puck on Oct. 24, missed five games and has played in pain. It hasn’t stopped the top-pairing defenceman from being fourth in the NHL with 75 shot blocks.
5. Penalty kill has been a thrill The Canucks have gone six consecutive games without allowing a power-play goal and the 12-for12 showing has a lot to do with the return of Beagle, which has helped establish effective pairings and taken the heat off Horvat to better manage minutes.