NHL
Vancouver heads to South Florida to take on the Panthers.
Vancouver heads to South Florida for their first of two meet ups this season on Saturday. Last season, the Panthers swept the Canucks with a 2-0-0 record. However, this Canucks team is not only different, but stronger than last season.
Tale of the Tape
Vancouver (2-2-0)
Vancouver is coming off of stunning the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 4-1 after scoring all four goals in the third period. Their rookie sensation, Elias Pettersson, currently has four goals in four games, with a combined total of seven points. It’s easy to say he’s an early candidate for the Calder trophy. Look for him to get on the score sheet.
In addition, look out for his teammate, Brock Boeser. Boeser has registered two points in his last two games and looks to extend his point streak.
Things have been looking bright for the city of Vancouver ever since the departure of the Sedin twins.
Florida (0-1-1)
Florida is coming off yet another heart breaking loss. This time, it was to the Columbus Blue Jackets by a score of 5-4. On the bright side, history favors the Panthers. They have beaten the Canucks the last two times at home. If the Cats are looking to get back on track, the time is when Vancouver heads to South Florida.
However, the Panthers have a trend to shoot like there’s no tomorrow. In the Columbus game on Thursday, they registered 41 shots on goal. In their game against Tampa last Saturday, they registered 43. Vancouver goaltender Jacob Markstrom, the former Panther goaltender, will have to be ready to face whatever is thrown at him.
Florida’s top line of Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad and Evgenii Dadonov contributed three goals in Thursday’s game against the Blue Jackets. Look for them to make some noise in this matchup.
Despite allowing five goals on 30 shots on Thursday, goaltender James Reimer will start.
Injuries
Vancouver
Winger Antoine Roussel is currently on the injured reserve with a concussion.
Florida
Goaltender Roberto Luongo is still out with a MCL sprain.
Winger Jaime McGinn is still recovering from back surgery.
Center Derek Mackenzie is out of Saturday’s game with an upper body injury.
Winger Michael Haley is out indefinitely due to personal matters.
Defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich is coming off the IR and is expected to play.
Projected Lineup (according to NHL.com)
Vacouver
L1: Tyler Motte-Bo Horvat-Brock Boeser
L2: Nikolay Goldobin-Elias Pettersson-Loui Eriksson
L3: Sven Baertschi-Brandon Sutter-Jake Virtanen
L4: Tim Schaller-Jay Beagle-Markus Granlund
D1: Alexander Edler-Christopher Tanev
D2: Derrick Pouliot-Erik Gudbranson
D3: Ben Hutton-Troy Stecher
G1: Anders Nilsson
G2: Jacob Markstrom
Florida
L1: Evgenii Dadonov-Aleksander Barkov-Nick Bjugstad
L2: Johnathan Huberdeau- Vincent Trocheck-Denis Malgin
L3: Maxim Mamin-Jared McCann-Mike Hoffman
L4: Troy Brouwer-Juho Lammiko-Colton Scevior
D1: Keith Yandle-Aaron Ekblad
D2: Mark Pysyk-Michael Matheson
D3: Alex Petrovic-Bogdan Kiselevich
G1: James Reimer
G2: Michael Hutchinson
Scratches: Mackenzie Weegar, Frank Vatrano
Social media
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Photo Credit
Photo Courtesy of litterbox cats
