Canucks Vs Leafs Pre Game

Canucks Vs Leafs CBC, NHLN-US, TEAM 1040, 4:00 PM PST

First thing I'm going to start with is a rant to the schedule makers. Why in the world does Toronto get to come out west to Vancouver and play at 4:00PM PST time? When Vancouver went to Toronto they had to start at 4:00 PM PST time as well. Now for a team that plays most of it's games at 7:00 PST this is a huge disadvantage. The team doesn't get to go through all their pre game routines and we have seen this before the Canucks typically come out flat when they aren't on their normal game times.
You can't tell me that it was for good TV scheduling, because CBC could have easily put on the Washington Vs Boston game at 4 that would have been a great game. Edmonton and Calgary got their start times, why doesn't Vancouver? As much as the team isn't voicing their opinions I'm sure this is one of the games that the Canucks would have liked to change. They have been in Vancouver for a while now and are pretty much set on their daily routine. Their only variance to the schedule of late was a short trip to Edmonton which wouldn't change much at all. I can see the NHL wanting to be fair, but this seems like an advantage to the Leafs.

Now after my rant, a little preview of the game.

The Leafs are coming off two disappointing performances in Alberta and would like to end their road trip with a positive. Last time out the Canucks won the game, but I wouldn't say they really earned it. They were almost lucky to escape with the W and they need a better performance tonight.

Last game it was Kesler who ran the show, tonight the Twins should be able to take advantage of the lackluster togetherness of the Maple Leafs. They have the ability to spin the Leafs defense into the ice and tonight they will need to show the home crowd why they are on pace for over 100 points this season. The other part of this line is Burrows and he hasn't been much of a factor recently. I know he started the year slowly coming off injury, but he's had time to get back into the flow of the game now and if he doesn't start picking up his game I could see AV going with his typical switch of Burrows and Samuelsson.

The 2nd line will need to continue jumping on Kesler's back and enjoying the ride. He's showing why he is a top Selke player in the NHL and he seems determined to turn this Canuck's team into the real contender they should be. If everyone could play with Kesler's attitude and speed every night this team would be unstoppable.

The third line is the third line, Malholtra needs to keep winning faceoffs like he has been and the rest of the line needs to stay defensively responsible. As streaky as Torres can be, it would be nice to see him get on one of his scoring streaks soon to relieve a bit of pressure off the top two lines.

The fourth line should be exciting tonight. Aaron Volpatti will have his first NHL game tonight and he has the ability to be a difference maker. Those who saw the Heat Vs Moose games in Abbotsford all raved about his forecheck and his hitting ability. The Canucks have done a great job at rotating/auditioning 4th line players this season and no one has taken the job as their own. Volpatti has the chance to do that over the Christmas time games starting with tonight. If he can play hard hitting physical hockey, all while staying defensively responsible he might be able to stick with the team opposite of Tanner Glass on the 4th line. I hope he can bring some big hits to the team and get some energy into the building early and often tonight.

The defense should get an injection of energy tonight with Ehrhoff getting back into the lineup. He is a game time decision but yesterday he said he felt good and was ready to go, I can't see AV holding him out of the game as long as he says he's good to go after the warm up. With the way the top 4 of Hamhuis, Bieksa, Edler and Ballard have been playing, I can see AV easing Ehrhoff into the game tonight with some limited minutes as the #5 playing with Alberts. He will more than likely be back on the PP unit with Edler and the Twins but maybe not as much time on the PK.

Luongo is in goal tonight and against a team like the Leafs as long as he doesn't let in any weak ones the team should easily cruise to a W. This right here is usually why the Canucks lose though and they can't think this way. The need to come out and play like Calgary did against the Leafs the other night. Push hard and dominate a game you should dominate is the goal for tonight. Anything less than two points will be a disappointment.

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