[Hyack]

The Canucks recorded their first shutout of the season with their 4-0 win over Anaheim. Goldobin opened the scoring in the 1st period with his 7th of the year, followed by Biega scoring his 2nd. Horvat then scored his 22nd while on the PP in the 2nd, followed by his 23rd in the 4th period. Shots on goal were equal at 29 and the Ducks went 0/2 on the PP with Vancouver going 1/2. Vancouver's next game will by Wednesday when they visit Colorado to start a 3 game road trip.

[Hyack]

Vancouver at Colorado

64

Canucks (27-28-8) at Avalanche (27-24-12)

The Colorado Avalanche will try to move back into a Stanley Cup Playoff position when they face the Vancouver Canucks at Pepsi Center on Wednesday.

Forward Tanner Pearson will make his Canucks debut after he was acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Erik Gudbranson on Monday. Vancouver is 3-6-2 in its past 11 games and five points behind Dallas.

Canucks center Elias Pettersson has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in his past 14 games since returning from a knee injury.

Edler skated Wednesday but will miss his 11th game.

Horvat has scored three goals in his past three games.

Game time 6:30pm PT

[Hyack]

Vancouver at Arizona

65

Canucks (27-28-9) at Coyotes (30-28-5)

The Arizona Coyotes will go for their fifth consecutive win and eighth in 10 games when they play the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena on Thursday.

The Coyotes won five in a row from Oct. 23-Nov. 2 and haven't had two five-game winning streaks in a season since 2011-12. They're three points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference and will try to sweep a season series against Vancouver for the first time since entering the NHL as the Winnipeg Jets in 1979-80.

The Canucks are playing the second of a back to back after a 3-2 shootout loss to the Avalanche on Wednesday. They trail Colorado by five points.

Canucks center Elias Pettersson has been held without a goal in his past five games.

Edler is close to returning and could be a game-time decision. … Gaudette was out Wednesday but might play.

Vancouver is 7-7-1 in back-to-back sets this season, including 3-4-0 in the second game.

Game time 6:00pm PT

[Strutz]

These last 2 games have been a bit frustrating to watch. I haven't given up all hope on making the playoffs but they are going to have to have a hell of a winning streak this month to make it.

[Hyack]

The Canucks have only 17 games left to play this season. Of those 17 games three times they play back to back. Dallas and Minnesota are currently sitting in the Wild card position, they have a 5 and 6 point lead over the Canucks and both have a game in hand. I honestly don't hold much hope for the team, especially with the injury problems the team has had for most of the season. Baertschi, Sutter, Virtanen and Tanev are currently on the injured list and Edler just started playing in Arizona. From the look of things I think the guys will play their last game in St Louis on the 6th of March. Once again I think it's going to be......There's always next season....

The Canucks next game will be Sunday afternoon in Vagas.

[N_Fiddledog]

On the positive side, in spite of all the key injuries in the second half, the Canucks have shown an ability to make a game of it.

Markstrom, Virtanen (before his injury), and Goldobin seem to have found another level. Markstrom in Particular appears to have become a legitimate NHL # 1 goaltender. Carry this in into next season and who knows. In fact, Goldobin and Virtanen might have another level yet.

The new additions of Leivo and Pearson appear to have added a little more secondary scoring. We need that. This summer offers opportunities to get some more.

We need a boost in the defense. Highly touted Quinton Hughes might be here from the NCAA before the end of the season. Possibly our other # 1 draft pick, defenseman Olli Juolevi might make it sometime next season. Right handed D, Jet Woo is coming up through the minors and he's looking good. There are other upcoming hopes for a strengthened defense.

Adam Gaudette is adjusting just fine as a 3rd line center. He should be even better next year. Sutter is becoming superfluous at a good time to be a trade chip. They're saying this next draft in Vancouver is a good one. Who knows? Sutter might be good for a late # 1 pick.

If the season were to end today we'd be drafting 7th before the lottery. That's not a bad place to be. Anybody in the top ten should get something juicy. And by not making the playoffs we'll be eligible for the draft lottery which gives us the possibility of a top 3 pick. Those might be able to start next season. Used to want Jack Hughes but I'm crossing my fingers for Kaapo Kakko now.

[Strutz]

We definitely have many positives going for the team right now which is why I haven't completely given up on the season. Right now, looking at where we may be as far as draft picks go is irrelevant until the final stats of the season determine this.

Of course injuries have been an issue, but all the other teams have had to deal with that issue as well. IMO a well developed team has the players that can step up to the plate, so to speak, when the tops guy (or guys), are down and out.

It is so tight in both conferences as to who will or won't make the playoffs and I think it will come down to those last few games to determine the final 16. It should be an exciting month of hockey. There is so much talent out there and it almost seems a shame that some players won't even have a shot at hoisting the cup!

[N_Fiddledog]

Strutz Strutz:

Of course injuries have been an issue, but all the other teams have had to deal with that issue as well. IMO a well developed team has the players that can step up to the plate, so to speak, when the tops guy (or guys), are down and out.

At one point, shortly after Christmas I think, we had reason to be optimistic about making the playoffs. We were in the wild card position or close to it.

Then we lost both goalies, both of the top 2 defensemen and our best bets at secondary scoring. Pettersson's last injury might have been close to that time too.

What other team had to deal with all that? And all these key injuries in the second half are consistent over the last few years. In the amount, keyness of who goes down in the second half and consistency of major injuries we seem to be special. I imagine Hyack will have some stats for me if I'm wrong. Otherwise I think I'm right and have a conspiracy theory as to probable cause. Killer travel schedules most other teams don't have to deal with and 2 tier refereeing with the Canucks getting the short end of the stick. Our guys seem get hack and whack attacks and cheap shots other teams don't get called for but we do. Particularly in the second half of the season.

Whatever though...it can be dealt with. We must have a strong bench and NHL worthy replacements for it on the farm. This is why a strong draft matters right now. We're not ready yet, here or in Utica but Benning and his team look to be having some success getting us there.

[Hyack]

Vancouver at Vegas

66

Canucks (27-29-9) at Golden Knights (35-26-5)

The Vegas Golden Knights will look to win their fourth consecutive game when they host the Vancouver Canucks at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday.

Vancouver, which has lost five of its past six games (1-3-2) and 10 of its past 13 (3-7-3), is seven points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.

Canucks forward Elias Pettersson has two assists in his past five games.

Tanev is expected to skate "any day now," Green said.

Game time 1:00pm PT

[Strutz]

Outshot 48-19.

No surprise for the 3-0 loss.

IMO Markstrom should be MVP this season. He has been the reason for some games not being as bad as they could have been.

[N_Fiddledog]

I listened to it on the car radio. Our guys sounded pooped out and discouraged.

Except for Markstrom, of course. Keep it up for next season, Jacob.

[Hyack]

The 9th shutout of the season, but Markstrom once again held the team in the game, it could have been a lot worse!! Wednesday has Toronto in town followed by a trip to Edmonton the next day.

[Hyack]

Vegas at Vancouver

69

Golden Knights (37-26-5) at Canucks (28-31-9)

The Vegas Golden Knights will try for their sixth consecutive victory when they visit the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Saturday.

The Canucks, 2-5-2 in their past nine games and 4-9-3 in their past 15, have scored two goals or fewer in nine of their past 12 games, including three shutouts.

Vancouver is nine points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.

Canucks center Elias Pettersson has three assists in his past eight games but leads the Canucks and all NHL rookies with 57 points (26 goals, 31 assists) in 57 games.

Tanev skated with the Canucks for the first time since his injury but will miss his 11th straight game.

Horvat has no points in his past five games.

Game time 7:00pm PT

[Strutz]

Last night's game was... well, not good.

On the positive side though:

Vancouver Canucks sign 19-year-old defenceman Quinn Hughes
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-canucks ... -1.4330384

[N_Fiddledog]

Strutz Strutz:

Last night's game was... well, not good.

On the positive side though:

Vancouver Canucks sign 19-year-old defenceman Quinn Hughes
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-canucks ... -1.4330384

That's a lift to hear. We can sure use a defenseman of his type.

Wonder how long it will take him to adjust to the NHL.

He hurt his ankle blocking a shot in a game the other day. They say it's just a bruise.