Canucks Vs Ducks Pre Game

Canucks Vs Ducks, SNET-P, Team1040, 7:00 PM PST

Wednesday nights game need to simply be a statement game. The Canucks had a rough showing last time out against the Blues and it was clear that no one on the ice really showed up besides maybe Kesler and Ballard. It looked as though the team saw a Blue's team who had just came back from playing Edmonton the night before and expected an easy victory to make it five in a row. The game against the Ducks will be an important one for the team as a whole to make sure no one loses to much confidence from the Blues loss.

The Ducks are always a tricky team to play against, they have a very strong top line that can take over a game at any time. The Canucks will have to have a solid all around effort no matter who is matched up against that line. Where the team should excel is taking advantage of the Anaheim defence. The Canucks have a very strong top 6 and should be able to exploit the young Duck's D.

Look for the Twins to have a bounce back game as they were pretty much ineffective in the last game. Anaheim's D will be tired coming off the game against Edmonton and the Twins should be able to grind away with their cycle game down low. Look for them to hit the score sheet and have a good +/-.

Another thing for the Twins will be the PP they need to get that going again as last game it didn't look very good. Keep it simple, run the PP they are capable and get their shots on the goal. The Canucks have the advantage again on special teams. Anaheim's PK is ranked 19th and the number two PP in the league needs to take advantage of their chances and get back to number one.

Not sure the exact line combinations for the Canucks 2nd and third line but if I were coaching I would put the Raymond, Kesler, Tambellini back together. They had a good chemistry going and their speed together is very scary for the opposition. Hansen can slot in for Samuelsson on the 3rd line where he started the year and has some chemistry with Torres and Hansen. Although not 100% sure of who will line up where, it is obvious the Canucks need secondary scoring from these two lines.

In on the fourth line tomorrow will be both Bolduc and Andersson lined up with Glass. Bolduc will be returning to the centre position. Not that Perrault was playing bad, but he wasn't really taking advantage of his chance in the big leagues. He's been sent back down and the Canucks have given Andersson (the other player they acquired in the O'Brien trade with Nash) a chance to show what he can do in the NHL. According to people who saw the Moose vs Heat games in Abbotsford, Andersson stood out using his size and speed well. That is what he'll have to do if he wants to stick with the Canucks. The Ducks are a chippy team and the Canucks forth line will need to do a good job at countering their aggressiveness and creating good energy for the top three lines.

The defence seems to be gelling as of late. Ballard seems to be wanting to force AV to move him into the top 4 and that's exactly what we will need out of him. His shot blocking skill are tremendous and he's starting to gain confidence. Again I am expecting him to get onto the score sheet against the Ducks.

Luongo will more than likely be looking at a night off this weekend in the back to back games so tonight he needs to come out and play how he's been playing recently. Stay square to the shooter and challenge when the time is right. The Ducks have some very good shooters and Luongo will need to be on his game.

My prediction for the game tonight is that the team will come out full of energy. They were bag skated on Monday and I doubt they want to do that again on Thursday.

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