It seems as though the Montreal Canadiens play the Vancouver Canucks whenever they are on some sort of an extended win streak. The Canadiens had won nine games in a row to start the 2015-2016 regular season before the Canucks brought them back to reality, handing them a 5-1 loss at the Rogers Arena. In 2016-2017 the Canadiens shut out the Canucks 3-0 at the Bell Centre for their eighth consecutive victory to run their record to 10-0-1 to start the season. However, that victory raised alarm bells as the team played terribly in front of Carey Price who unsurprisingly kept his team in the game until the offense awakened. The following game the Canadiens lost for the first time in regulation as they suffered a humiliating 10-0 pounding at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Tonight, the Canadiens are riding a wave of five consecutive wins as they begin their Western Canada road trip in where else but Vancouver.
With 82 points, the Canadiens continue to lead the Atlantic division by just four points over the Ottawa Senators who hold two games in hand. Those mid-March three games in seven days versus the Senators looms large for both teams as the outcomes in those matchups could very well decide the division winner. Until then, the Canadiens will need to focus on the task at hand and getting a win in Vancouver for their BC boys: Carey Price, Brendan Gallagher, Shea Weber and Jordie Benn. The Canucks are sixth in the Pacific division with just 63 points and have a -34 goals differential but the have won two games in a row. The Canadiens cannot afford to take them lightly as they attempt to extend their own win streak to six games.
The Canucks lineup for tonight should be:
Trios #Canucks:
— Chantal Machabee (@ChantalMachabee) March 7, 2017
Sedin-Sedin-Granlund;
Baertschi-Horvat-Goldobin;
Gaunce-Sutter-Megna;
Cramarossa-Chaput-Boucher.
Although defenseman Chris Tanev did not skate this morning, he is expected to play in place of Nikita Tryamkin this evening as the latter is still recovering from injury..
Défenseurs #Canucks:
— Chantal Machabee (@ChantalMachabee) March 7, 2017
Sbisa-Tryamkin;
Edler-Stecher;
Hutton-Biega.
G: Miller
As for the Canadiens, Alexander Radulov continues to be day to day with a lower body injury and did not take part in the morning skate. Also absent was Tomas Plekanec who is now considered day to day as well with a minor injury. His Canadiens iron man streak will stop at 236 consecutive games played as Torrey Mitchell will step up to center the third line between Paul Byron and Andrew Shaw. It has been confirmed that Brandon Davidson will in fact make his Canadiens debut against the Canucks as Alexei Emelin will be a healthy scratch for the first time since December of 2015. With Jordie Benn’s arrival and the resurgence of Nathan Beaulieu, Emelin had become the weak link on the Canadiens back end and so it is of no surprise that he is the first regular to sit in the press box to make way for Davidson.
La formation des @CanadiensMTL à l'entraînement, Emelin est laissé de côté#CH #Habs pic.twitter.com/USgrm5eWjQ
— Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) March 7, 2017
Unfortunately for Michael McCarron, it appears as though he will be a healthy scratch on his 22nd birthday. It has been a frustrating season for McCarron who has bounced in and out of the lineup in his latest stint with the Canadiens. When he is at his best, McCarron is an effective bottom six center and uses his size and youthful energy to create havoc in his opponent’s end. While he is not the strongest skater, he has improved in this area since initially drafted by the Canadiens in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft. Lately it appears as though McCarron is not playing up to his potential as he has not been using his size to his advantage and is without energy. It seems as though he is playing to not make a mistake, trying to be safe rather than make things happen. Curiously, the Canadiens did not file the necessary paperwork on March 1st that would have made McCarron eligible for the AHL playoffs with the St. John’s Ice Caps should they make them. Is it in McCarron’s best interest to be a healthy scratch and still practice with the Canadiens or should he be playing big minutes with the Ice Caps?
Puck drops at 7pm Pacific, 10pm Eastern.
Cheers and enjoy the game! Follow @Jenbcutler