In what seems like an eternity with all the action going on around the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks take to the ice tonight against the Devils. With only 2 games played in the last 11 days it should be interesting to see what kind of Canucks team shows up?
The one I remember let the very fast and determined Avalanche control the play and tempo of the last game. That Canucks team allowed the Avs to tie up the game and force OT (luckily) only to be defeated on a strange goal by Mason Raymond. Yes- it really does feel like a long time ago, it was last month!
Some may say the Devils are the perfect team for Vancouver to play after coming from 5 days off from the last game. Other would argue this is exactly the wrong type of team for Vancouver and point to historical references of the Canucks doing the proverbial 'ball drop' against should-beat opponents. The next two games are against the two worst teams in the NHL, those being the Devils and the Oilers.
Don't read too much into those standings Edmonton is only one win less than Vancouver and Jersey is the same but have played 3 more games. There is no real advantage in the stats other than Vancouver is ahead in Goals Against and only 4 off in Goals For compared to Edmonton.
Where the advantage for Vancouver will come is in Special Teams. The Canucks are firing at a 7th best in the league on the PP for 22.9% efficiency. In contrast the Devils are an abysmal 7.7% for dead last on the PP. On the PK the two teams get much closer with Vancouver at 83.8% and the Devils at 81.8% for 19th. The 5 on 5 Goals For/Against ratio also favour the Canucks tonight too with them at 19th for .94 while the Devils are 29th at .58. By looking at the stats alone it is easy to favour Vancouver tonight especially on home ice, but that's why I am worried.
There is a chance Ballard plays tonight as he feels well after hard skating workouts. He will be a game time decision. Hamhuis is still feeling soreness in his foot and taking everything day by day. Clearly the team is taking every precaution to get the two blue liners in when they are ready and not sooner as they want a healthy team long term.
The keys tonight will be puck movement from the top 6 and solid pressure from the bottom 6. Obviously the Canucks want to try and use their superior PP to score but seeing this team get even strength goals would be good. With the patchwork defense I hope the forwards play more aware hockey and come back to help on breakouts and back checking. Players like Torres and Schaeffer need to be aware of New Jersey style game and help with the puck movement up the ice.
Tambellini stays with the Sedins tonight and is there any reason he shouldn't? Burrows will be back tomorrow which means Tambellini will most likely move down but is he even effective for the Canucks on the 4th line?
What move(s) makes sense when Burrows returns?
Does having Kesler out with the Sedins for the top PP unit make a difference? It seems to me that it is an attempt to help Kesler get 'going'. I'm not against him having the opportunity but I like two balanced PP unites and I think having him on the second one is just as smart.
It's finally game day and another tomorrow. Let's see what the Canucks can do against teams that appear lesser but really are not that far below Vancouver.
Enjoy the Game!
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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