Canucks @ Coyotes Pre Game

Canucks @ Coyotes SNET-P, TEAM 1040, 6:30 PM

The second game of a back to back is never very easy but it'll be a big win for the Canucks if they can get it tonight.

First things first is Luongo, he's been turning in star performances for months now and he hasn't lost a game in regulation since Dec. 5th. Of those 17 games Luongo has allowed two goals or less in 12 of them. Those kind of numbers are the numbers that will win playoff series. He will need to be on top of his game tonight as most of the team played last night. They will be slightly tired and Phoenix isn't a team you can sleep on.

Phoenix did play last night as well, against San Jose. They blew a 3-0 lead and should be upset about that, so I would expect them to come out with a bit of a jump. If the Canucks can handle the first 10 minutes and maybe pot in a couple goals I would expect Phoenix to go away fairly quietly. If they let Phoenix get out to a good start watch out. They are a team you don't want to be messing around with because they will silently kill you.

The defense has a chance to help out again on the offensive side of the game tonight. Lead by Ehrhoff who has seven points in his last eight games. He's stepping up his offensive game with Edler out and will continue to get a ton of chances on the PP.

Speaking of special teams, the Canucks have been very good of late. They won last nights game with the special teams and it would be a big bonus to get the same effort tonight. The Twins have been great on the PP all season and like I said in my Dallas post game thread, if they can use the points effectively they will be able to open up down low for them to use their creative play making. The 2nd unit will start getting use to each other more and more each game and Hodgson should be able to bring more skill to this unit. Expect them to look more dangerous if they get a chance tonight.

Tonight's fourth line is very interesting. They should be able to get a decent amount of ice time being in the 2nd game of a back to back. AV should be comfortable using the fourth line tonight with Hodgson centering Glass and Tambellini. This line brings a new element to the Canucks fourth line because Hodgson has a scoring minded winger to create with. Glass will be there to crash the boards and create turnovers and if he can do that the other two have the chance to put one in. I wouldn't be shocked tonight to see this line hit the score sheet tonight.

Again the team has a lot of rookies in the lineup and they will need to keep playing with great poise. Tanev is leading the way and playing big time minutes but Sweatt and Hodgson will also need to play strong games tonight.

Should be a good game tonight. I'll be working at the Salmon Kings game tonight so I won't watch this Canucks game till I watch the recorded version tonight.

Twitter me @bmah03

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