Canucks Game Day: Plenty of questions against the Flyers
Canucks' defensive game blew up on Wednesday. Can they lock it back down on Friday?
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Published Oct 11, 2024 • Last updated 15 hours ago • 3 minute read
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When/where: Friday, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The buzz: Scoring goals, no one thought that would be a problem for the Vancouver Canucks. In Wednesday’s season opener, the Canucks opened as well as can be, firing four goals in the first period. Four goals should get you a win. Then they lost their way, blowing a 4-1 lead before coming back late in the game. The defence just wasn’t good enough — and that’s something that at least a few of us worried about coming into the season.
That, more than anything, is the big question as the season gets going. Can the Canucks sort out their defensive play?
The history: It’s almost forgotten given how well last season went but the Canucks looked like they were in serious trouble in just the third game of the season last year. After beating the Oilers in the first two games of the season — an 8-1 blowout at home, then a wild 4-3 theft in Edmonton — the Canucks put together a true stinker in Philadelphia, losing 2-0. Rick Tocchet ripped his team after that game. Then the Canucks went on a tear. But they did no better at home right after Christmas, losing 4-1 at Rogers Arena. There’s something about how John Tortorella has his team playing against his old team…can the Canucks turn fortunes around this year?
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The hope: The Canucks lost focus after getting up 4-1 and forgot their details. Head coach Rick Tocchet called it hockey from a year and a half ago, when he first arrived in Vancouver. It’s a simple fix that the players will lead the way on, he thinks.
The fear: The chaotic defending on Wednesday can’t be a trend. This team surely knows how to play like it did last year. But what if they don’t?
The top guns: J.T. Miller was sensational on Wednesday, bagging a Gordie Howe hat trick. Brock Boeser scored twice. The Canucks were great on offence.
The wounded: Canucks: Thatcher Demko (knee, IR), Dakota Joshua (testicular cancer, IR), Pius Suter (lower, body, day-to-day). Flyers: .
The quote: “It wasn’t horrible. It just looked horrible” — Tocchet pointed out that his team only gave up 6 high-danger chances against Calgary. Still need to be better though.
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The lineup:
Heinen-Miller-Boeser
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Sprong
Hoglander-Suter-Garland
Raty-Blueger-Sherwood
Hughes-Hronek
Soucy-Myers
Forbort-Juulsen
Lankinen
The prediction: It’s the season opener for the Flyers. The Canucks want to bounce back. Watch for a much tighter 3-2 win for Vancouver.
The latest: Friday Tocchet confirmed what seemed most likely during Thursday’s practice: Vinny Desharnais will be a healthy scratch, replaced by Noah Juulsen. Desharnais was signed to a two-year, $4 million contract in the summer.
Kevin Lankinen will make his first start as a Canuck.
(FAN FORUM: Do you have a specific question for a player? Pass it along to @provincesports and we’ll get it in a future edition.)
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