Miller must be catalyst to create chaos around Lehner

Tonight

Vancouver Canucks vs. Vegas Golden Knights

6:45 p.m., Rogers Place Sportsnet, Sportsnet 650

THE BIG MATCHUP J.T. Miller versus Robin Lehner

J.T. Miller is the barometer to measure whether the Canucks can weather a growing storm created by the big, fast and deep Vegas Golden Knights.

Right now, the club’s leading scorer in the regular season doesn’t like what he sees in the post-season after the Canucks were overwhelmed 5-0 in the second-round series opener Sunday. It was like a tornado that left a lot of destruction. By tonight, Miller expects those clouds of doubt to disappear.

For that to occur, the Canucks have to find a way to get to the net and get to Robin Lehner. The key to getting to a big goalie, especially one who’s not the most athletic stopper, is making him move and taking away his ability to track the puck via screen and tips. That’s often a byproduct of an aggressive forecheck, but the Canucks were out-legged in the opener. Beating Lehner will mean beating a path to the O -zone.

And it’s Miller who can lead the charge. However, the top-six mix struggled Sunday. Elias Pettersson didn’t have a shot and just one attempt, Brock Boeser had no shots and five attempts, Bo Horvat had two shots and three attempts and Miller was held to just one shot and one attempt. Tanner Pearson had three shots and six attempts and Alex Edler led the Canucks with five shots. But shots from the blue-line aren’t going to get it done. Neither are just 26 shots.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME 1.

Hughes needs support

Calder Trophy finalist Quinn Hughes had a rough Game 1. He was hounded in his own zone and nullified at the opposition blueline. The Knights pressured him at the point, took away passing and shooting options and he had no shots. He needs to adjust.

2.

Unlocking power play

You have to draw penalties to allow a PP that was 7-for-23 entering Game 1 to strike. Miller drew a tripping minor in the second period, but that was it. Lack of a net presence made it an easy night for Vegas.

3.

A playmaking Pettersson

Pettersson plays on instinct and by attracting attention, he can dish some sweet feeds. On Sunday, he took a pass from Miller, drew two defenders and slipped a blind back pass to Chris Tanev for a scoring chance.

4.

Status quo, or no?

The Canucks could insert Zack MacEwen for more bite, but that would mean sitting Jake Virtanen. He made an off-wing power move in Game 1 and nearly scored. He had two shots, three attempts and four hits.

5.

Don’t poke the bear

Antoine Roussel revved up Ryan Reaves after the Canucks winger took verbal gabs at Lehner. Reaves responded with 11 hits and a strong game.