Tuesday November 15 - New York Rangers at Vancouver Canucks - 7 p.m. - Sportsnet Pacific
Vancouver Canucks: 16 GP, 6-9-1, 13 pts, fifth in Pacific Division New York Rangers: 16 GP, 12-4-0, 24 pts, first in Metropolitan Division
The Vancouver Canucks will get a chance to sweep their season series against one of the top teams in the NHL when Alain Vigneault and the New York Rangers visit Rogers Arena on Tuesday night.
The Canucks surprised New York one week ago in the Big Apple, ending their nine-game losing streak with a 5-3 victory at Madison Square Garden. After that night, the Rangers enjoyed three days off before grabbing two wins in back-to-back games in Alberta over the weekend—4-1 over Calgary on Saturday, then 3-1 over Edmonton on Sunday.
That's not to say it was an easy weekend for New York, who lost two key players before the Oilers game, leaving the forward lines undermanned.
OFFICIAL: Chris Kreider remains out tonight - upper body. Pavel Buchnevich remains out - back spasms. Boo Nieves will make his NHL debut.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 15, 2016
Cristoval "Boo" Nieves was a second-round draft pick in 2012. The 6'3", 200-pound 22-year-old spent four seasons at the University of Michigan before signing his pro contract at the end of last season.
Here's why they call him "Boo."
Origin of Boo Nieves nickname. pic.twitter.com/jbuKwVNBoK
— Steven David (@Garts2point2) October 6, 2016
The forward to watch out for tonight is former Canucks first-rounder Michael Grabner, who is currently tied for second place in the NHL's goal-scoring race with 10 goals in his first 16 games, including one in Calgary and two in Edmonton last weekend.
Grabner's offensive outburst isn't completely unprecedented. Now 29, the speedy Austrian peaked with 34 goals with the New York Islanders back in 2010-11. But he had just nine goals and 18 points in 80 games with Toronto last season, which is why the Rangers were able to sign him to a two-year free agent contract with a cap hit of $1.65 million per season. He has been great value in the early going!
Here's how the Rangers' lines look at this morning's skate:
NY lines: Grab-Step-Nash; Miller-Ziba-Zuke: Vesey-Hayes-Fast; Lindberg-Nieves-Pirri
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) November 15, 2016
Antti Raanta hasn't shown any ill effects from that collision with Markus Granlund that saw him briefly pulled from last week's game against Vancouver. He and Henrik Lundqvist split the duties over the weekend, with Raanta playing Sunday in Edmonton.
The Rangers' next game isn't till Friday so even though I haven't seen an official announcement, I expect Lundqvist will get the start tonight. He actually did take the loss last week against Vancouver, allowing two goals including the eventual game winner in his 6:19 of relief work.
As for the Canucks—no lineup changes from the group that beat Dallas on Sunday, though the team will be turning back to the goaltender that earned the win in New York last week.
Markstrom in goal tonight for Canucks
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) November 15, 2016
The Canucks held an optional morning skate today, which included 13 players including Erik Gudbranson. He missed Monday's practice for a maintenance day.
Here's the full list of injury updates from Monday:
#Canucks injury updates from Desjardins:
— Jon Abbott (@HockeyAbbs) November 14, 2016
Hansen - still 3 weeks, at least
Tanev - likely 10 days (when resume skating, still 4-5 days then)
#Canucks injury updates 2/2 from Desjardins:
— Jon Abbott (@HockeyAbbs) November 14, 2016
Megna - close, maybe couple of days
Rodin- close
Gudbranson -maintenance day, today #TSN1040
Anton Rodin is now being called "close," but still skated ahead of the main group today. Right now, I'd guess that he won't be ready to go until at least after the end of this homestand.
As for Jake Virtanen, he's back with the team but will be scratched again.
Coach Desjardins said #Canucks are still day-to-day on when Virtanen returns. "What's best for him, is our question."
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 14, 2016
Give him credit for continuing to say the right things. The question now is how that'll translate—first in practice, then eventually when he gets back into game situations.
"It's nice to be back. Quick trip but the message was clear: I have to bring a consistent effort every shift, every game." - Virtanen
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 14, 2016
There was some concern that Trevor Linden's absence from Sunday's game against Dallas may have been a sign that something nefarious is afoot within the Canucks organization. I spotted both Linden and Cliff Ronning in the audience at last night's Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony—presumably representing for their mentor, Pat Quinn.
Remember when Trevor first took over as Canucks president? At that time, there was some talk of Quinn taking a role in the organization, possibly serving as a senior advisor. Watching the ceremony last night, I couldn't help thinking that Linden's journey in his current role might be going more smoothly if he did still have Quinn to lean on.
Finally—this was an interesting tidbit out of Seattle yesterday.
I'm excited to announce I've partnered w/ the Sonics Arena Group to help bring the @NBA & @NHL to the best fan base in the world.
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) November 14, 2016
Seattle.
Per Sportsnet, Seattle Arena lead investor Chris Hansen said last month that "he would 'privately finance the proposed project in exchange for tax breaks' in an effort to forego public funding," as he takes yet another step toward trying to make his project a reality.
In his Players' Tribune piece today, Wilson makes it clear that it's the prospect of an NBA franchise that's his biggest motivation to get involved with the project. His profile adds a little more credence to the possibility that, eventually, hockey in Seattle could still become a reality.
Enjoy the game!