Canucks Vs Wild Pre Game

Canucks Vs Wild SNET-VAN, TEAM 1040, 3:00PM PST

I'm watching the Patriots playoff game so I'll keep this pretty short.

We all know the Wild typically playing a pretty stifling defensive system. It will be up to the Canucks to make sure they play their own game and not turn the puck over to much.

Schneider is in goal tonight for the Canucks, and the Wild are starting Anton Khudobin because Backstrom has a bit of an injury. Schneider's job will be to bounce back from his first outright loss of the season. Because of Schneider's calm nature I don't expect Schneider to look shaky at all. The Canucks job against Khudobin will be to test him early and often as he has only played in 2 games this season.

The key to tonight's game will be to overwhelm the Wild with the overall depth the Canucks have. If the roll players are making good smart plays tonight it should be a good game for the team. If they underestimate the Wild watch out. The Wild always get up for games against the Canucks.

The defence has been stepping up recently by putting points and goals on the board. Last game it was Edler and Ehrhoff both putting one in the net. Look for the D to keep firing a little more as other teams start keying on not only the Twins but Kesler as well.

Daniel Sedin has been putting in very clutch goals this year, and last game was no different. A great hustle play by Hansen created a break away for Daniel and he made no mistake. It would be great if he could get to 50 this year.

Speaking of Hansen, he has a great game the other night and I would expect AV to reward him with some more ice time tonight. How nice will it be to have Hansen on the fourth line come playoff time?

A few injuries for the team, Bolduc and Rome are out. Volpatti and Alberts are in. Not sure what the lineup will look like tonight around the 4th line centre spot, but Tambellini and Glass have both seen time there in recent games.

Against weaker teams in the NHL the Canucks should be able to dominate. As long as they play their game I expect they do so. If they don't play their game it'll be a tight low scoring game.

GO CANUCKS GO

Twitter me @bmah03

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EDIT: Just a little note, Chris Tanev has been called up to the big club. Not sure if he's in the line up tonight. Doesn't make much sense because Alberts is healthy. We'll see. Alberts has been playing good lately in my opinion so I'd be surprised to see Tanev in.