Canucks go Duck hunting for a must-win
The Canucks play the first of back-to-back nights this evening in Anaheim. California dreaming may be picking up victories there and in L.A. on Thursday, but they’re vital to any post-season hopes.
THE BIG MATCHUP
Bob Murray vs. Reality
The Ducks’ boss finally fired Randy Carlyle on Sunday, following a disastrous run that saw his team fall to the bottom of the NHL’s Western Conference standings.
Bob Murray will soon realize up close that his team can’t score. They’re battling goalie injuries and they were riddled with injuries to their defence corps earlier this year.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Who’s in goal?
Jacob Markstrom was held out of Monday night’s game because of a minor injury, one that coach Travis Green was worried about aggravating.
So does that mean he’s healthy again to play in Anaheim?
Or will the team have to call again on Mike DiPietro, the 19-year-old prospect who did his best but was overmatched by the San Jose Sharks on Monday?
Or could newly acquired Marek Mazanec make a start?
2. Defence
The Canucks’ defence was a worry coming into the season. There were no new faces on the blue-line for a group that struggled to control its own end or contribute offensively. Until recently, the Canucks had been much improved in this area, but over the past four weeks or so, that storyline has gone south. On Saturday, it was simply a case of too many shots against. Come Monday, it was a case of too many quality shots against a young goaltender. Lots to fix.
3. Horvat’s scoring
The Canucks’ spirit leader now has 20 goals after scoring against the Sharks on Monday. He’s been doing everything he can this season to propel the Canucks closer to their dream of: 1) making the playoffs; and 2) evolving into a contender. That he’s scoring again is a great sign for a team that still harbours (faint) playoff hopes. Horvat has goals in two straight games and three in eight games.
4. Playoff hopes
Following Monday’s ugly loss, HockeyViz.com projects the Canucks as having a 1-in-7 chance of making the post-season. To say tonight’s game in Anaheim and Thursday’s match in Los Angeles are must-wins is not overstating facts.
5. Kesler’s woes
The broken down ex-Canuck keeps playing, but he hasn’t scored since Nov. 6. He has just four goals on the season. Kesler still has three years left after this season on his contract, which carries a cap hit of $6,875,000 per season.