Canucks @ Flames Pre Game

Canucks @ Calgary 6:30pm TSN and Team1040

A team coming off an extended break will typically come out slow to start their first game back. Luckily for the Canucks they will be forced to come out strong as they are playing a divisional foe. Last time these two teams met (last season) Calgary was pounded 7-3 in the game that finished off Henrik Sedin's Heart and Art Ross trophy winning season. Calgary will look to come out fast and dominated physically in their home arena and that should wake the Canucks up. If it doesn't they will have issues tonight.

Because of the long break, four days, the key point for the Canucks as a team will be to regain the momentum they had created in the previous two games. An early goal will go a long way in leading the Canucks to a win.

The team will again (as always) need a strong performance from the SSB line and as I've been saying recently a good +/- from this line will lead to W's.

Last time Vancouver was in Calgary Raymond had a hat-trick playing in his hometown. Look for him to be amped up for tonight's game and have his wheels going. The Raymond, Kesler, Tambellini line has looked good since being put together and I expect them to use their speed to create a goal tonight. They will also likely see time against the top unit and will need to be solid in their own zone as well.

This game will be chippy and the third line of Torres, Malholtra and Samuelsson will need to bring some grit tonight.

The same thing goes for the fourth line. Glass and Hansen need to be skating hard and crashing the boards. This line could create a tired defence for the Twins to work against come the 3rd period. Bolduc has been sent back down to Manitoba on a conditioning stint so Perrault should know his game will be numbered if he doesn't have a couple strong games. Faceoffs are important for him and this line as they are better used forechecking than in their own zone.

As for the defence as a whole, Iginla needs to be shut down. He's been playing well of late, and along with Kiprusoff, leading the Flames. All three pairings will see time against the Flames top line and they will need to be sound defensively to keep them under control.

Along with the defence, Luongo will need to out play Kipper. He's had two strong games recently and needs a third tonight.

The Canucks could put a lot of distance between themselves and the Flames in the standings tonight by putting them 7 points back and holding two games in hand. They also have to use one of their two games in hand on Colorado to take over the divisional lead again.

Enjoy the game tonight. I will again be watching it recorded as I will be at the Salmon Kings Game.

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GO CANUCKS GO.