Canucks @ Predators Pre game

Canucks @ Predators, SNET-P, TEAM 1040, 5:00PM PST

With all the moves Gillis made in the off season to solidify the defense it's a good thing he also focused on depth. Edler, Hamhuis, Ballard, Alberts, Sweatt and now Bieksa are all down to injury. That defense is as good as more than half the NHL. Although it is not 100% confirmed what is wrong with Bieksa it looks as though he has a fractured foot and will be out roughly three weeks. In the long run it's not that bad of a thing and we will get to see a prospect get some ice time with the big club. The only issue is the timing. The injury will force Tanev (a rookie up due to injuries) to play top four minutes. Here's the good news, as I said when the injury happened it looks like Hamhuis will be back skating very soon (maybe even today). What that means is he is on track with the concussion process and should be back sometime next week. I wouldn't be shocked if he was back on the weekend either. Ballard is also recovering much faster than expected and it is being reported he should play next week. With all the injuries the Canucks have had they are lucky that they are not really season ending injuries. Their players will slowly get back into the lineup and we could have one awesome defense going into the playoffs.

As for tonight it'll be Ehrhoff, Salo, Rome, Tanev, Sauve and recently called up Oberg. Good thing for Oberg is he has seen the big show before. He should know what to expect tonight and will hopefully play a calm game. Tanev is being forced into a top four role, he will need to keep bringing his calm demeanor to the ice and lead the rookies tonight.

Obviously for tonight's game the Canucks are extremely short on the back end. However the forwards are healthy. All four lines will need to step up to take pressure off the defense and Luongo.

The Twins have looked a bit tired in the last couple games. Tonight they really need to step it up and bring their A game. Nashville likes to play a stifling defensive game so it will be up the the Twins and Burrows to create good chances and finish their chances. I used to harp a lot on the SSB +/-, tonight is one of those nights. They need to have a good +/- for the team to get a W tonight.

Samuelsson has been playing great, Kesler is Kesler and Raymond seems to be slowly turning his game around. This line will need to play a big role tonight and have a solid game at both ends of the ice.

Malholtra broke out a little bit the other night and it would be great to see him continue putting up the odd point or two. His goal was directly related to him going to the net and he needs to keep doing that. His faceoffs are great, but the third line needs to produce. With Malholtra getting on the score sheet Torres seemed to wake up the other night. He was playing good physical hockey. If he isn't scoring he really needs to bring this element to the team.

The fourth line can't afford to make mistakes tonight because the defense won't be able to back them up as much as normal.

Luongo will not get as much support from tonights mashed together defense he is used to. He will need to step up his game and have a #1 star type performance tonight.

I'm really loving all this trade talk recently. I will try to jump in tomorrow with some of my feelings on trades. And what the Canucks should do.

Follow my twitter @bmah03

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