Canucks Vs Lighting CBC, Team1040, 7:30 PST
Along with the flu bug, injuries have once again hit the Canucks. Tonight Raymond and Ehrhoff will be out. For the Canucks these are big loses. Raymond is a top six forward and Ehrhoff plays on the top pairing, however for a team that was built for depth it is time to show that depth tonight.
Up front filling in for Raymond on the second line will be Samuelsson. Tambellini will shift over to left wing centered by Kesler and Samuelsson playing on the right side. The third line will be Torres Malholtra and Hansen. Finished off by the fourth line of Glass, Bolduc and Desbiens.
These lines are kind of mixed together however there is still the SSB line. Tonight the twins and Burrows need to have a very strong game. They need to come out and lead the team with a good strong effort while putting up points and hold TB off the score sheet. A good plus minus from this line will be a must to lead the team to a victory tonight.
The third line has seen some time together this year and also needs to play an impact roll in tonight's game. Whether it be an impact on the forecheck or on the score sheet this line needs a good game. Torres is a streaky goal scorer maybe tonight he starts a little streak.
The second line still has two really fast guys and a guy who can shoot. Kesler dominated the last game and carried the team. Hopefully his inspired play will help Samuelsson wake up. Samuelsson has the ability to be a scorer and needs to get back on pace with last season. He has a chance this week playing on the 2nd line but Hansen will be pushing him for that spot. Hopefully he realizes this and picks his game up.
On defence the pairings will be all juggled. We will see a few good things tonight for having Ehrhoff out. Ballard will finally slot into a top 4 roll. It will be nice to see him play there and get the minutes. Here's his chance to prove to AV he is ready to step up. It will also be nice for MG to see where his pairings are without one defenceman if he is considering trading one of them. Hopefully the D can hold it together tonight with a big offensive push from the opponents coming. The 6th guy will either be Alberts or Parent depending on if Alberts is over his flu. I believe that is a game time decision by the coaches.
Luongo gets the night off, and Cory Schneider will get the start. Hopefully he can get a few shots early and shake the rust because he will have to be strong tonight. I had the games mixed up for the rest night of Luongo but check out my "rest plan" anyways here. http://bmahsports.blogspot.com/2010/12/luongo-rest-plan.html
Big key will be starting a new goalless streak for Stamkos. He went six games without a goal until last night against EDM look for Kesler to be a huge shutdown factor tonight.
Big night for the Canucks they will be retiring Markus Naslund's #19. It's more than well deserved and he will always be a Canuck. Decent leader, great scorer. Imagine was his shot off the wing would do for the Canucks 2nd line right now. A sniper anywhere near his caliber is the type of player the 2nd line would like to have come playoff time.
Enjoy the game tonight. Check in for a busy day tomorrow of pre and post game talk.
Twitter me @bmah03
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