Vancouver Canucks vs. New Jersey Devils - Tuesday November 25 - 7:00 p.m. - Sportsnet Pacific, TSN1040
Vancouver Canucks 14-6-1 second in Pacific Division
New Jersey Devils 9-9-3 fifth in Metropolitan Division
I'm pleased to see that the Vancouver Canucks will be presenting a tribute to Pat Quinn before the beginning of tonight's game. They're asking fans to be in their seats by 6:55 p.m. for the video tribute and moment of silence.
The team has also announced that players will wear "PQ" decals on their helmets for the rest of the season. Good moves to honour the legacy of such an important figure in the Canucks organization.
So many tributes to Quinn have popped up in the past 24 hours. I'll share
this one, from the
Vancouver Sun's Iain MacIntyre, who covered the team for most of Quinn's tenure.
In their press release, the Canucks also mention that a larger tribute to Quinn will be planned for later in the season. I'm glad to see them taking the time to honour such an important figure in franchise history.
Now, back to hockey, and tonight's game.
At the beginning of the month, I chose the Canucks as one of the teams
facing a brutal schedule in the month of November.
With three games to go, Vancouver is 7-3-1 for the month so far—not bad at all. But after concluding tonight's homestand against the Devils, the Canucks hit the road for seven games out East. They'd better try to capture the two points tonight while they can.
Of course, a visit from the New Jersey Devils means the return of Cory Schneider to Rogers Arena, for the second time since he was traded at the 2013 draft.
Last October, the sideshow was the Schneider-vs.-Luongo showdown, which ended in a 3-2 overtime win for the Canucks on a goal by Mike Santorelli.
Schneider was probably relieved not to have to re-live that storyline again, but he arrives just in time to face the blossoming Bo Horvat, who's playing his crucial ninth NHL game tonight.
Horvat has been terrific for the Canucks for the past two games and is matching marks put up by some very talented names from the past.
After Sunday's game against Chicago:
And after Thursday's game against Anaheim:
Here's another nice stat on Horvat's faceoff prowess so far:
As for Schneider, he's been a workhorse in New Jersey. He started the team's first 20 consecutive games, building a record of 9-8-2. The Devils sit just outside the playoff bubble in the Eastern Conference, but Schneider's numbers have dropped from last season, even though he's now the undisputed main man. Currently boasting a .914 save percentage and 2.58 goals-against average, that's well below his career average as well as his 2013-14 stats of .921 and 1.97.
Backup Scott Clemmensen got his first start of the season in Calgary last Saturday night, where the Devils blew a 4-2 lead in the game's last three minutes thanks to two empty-net goals and an eventual shootout winner by Jiri Hudler.
Though the Flames and Canucks are currently battling in the Pacific Division standings, I couldn't help but cheer Calgary's comeback in that game. The Flames' never-say-die attitude makes them a pretty endearing underdog to watch these days.
As well as giving us a chance to see Schneider, a visit from New Jersey also brings an appearance from 42-year-old Jaromir Jagr. As the Devils continue to struggle to score goals, Jagr still sits at the top of the team's stats, with three goals and 13 points through 21 games.
Key injuries for the Devils include Ryane Clowe, who's sidelined with yet another concussion, and defenseman Bryce Salvador, who's out with a lower body injury.
For the Canucks, Alex Burrows has been listed as day-to-day. He did skate yesterday but his status for tonight's still not definite:
As for Dan Hamhuis, his diagnosis and prognosis seem just as mysterious as when he suffered the injury itself last Thursday:
Lots to keep an eye on tonight. Enjoy the game!
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»