Despite a valiant comeback effort, the Canucks dropped a trick shot competition to the Kraken ahead of a rematch with Boston tonight. There were some good things that did happen, though, most notably, a massive game from Jake DeBrusk.

Vancouver Canucks (16-20-4) vs. Boston Bruins (21-18-2)

Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC

7:00 pm PST; 10:00 pm EST

TV: Sportsnet, CBC, City TV

Radio: Sportsnet 650

It was a surprise, but not a shock, when Jake DeBrusk had been made a healthy scratch a couple games ago, and while he didn't respond immediately, this was definitely a response, as he put up a three point night for the Canucks and was hands down the best player on the ice. Sadly, it wasn't enough, as the Canucks dropped a rare shootout to the Kraken, and now sit two points above the Winnipeg Jets in last place for the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes.

The Jets are in Ottawa tonight to take on the Senators, while the Canucks are taking on a Boston Bruins team that hasn't played since stomping a 6-2 mudhole in the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night. As well as the Canucks have been in the tail end of back to back games, this seems like a less than ideal scenario for them if they're looking to get back into the playoff hunt. It's their last game before heading off to do their 6 game Eastern road swing which will include the Eastern Canadian teams, and it kicks off Tuesday against the hottest team in the NHL: The Buffalo Sabres???

If there were anything working in the Canucks' favour, it's that before that win in Edmonton, the Bruins had lost 7 of their previous 8 games, the 5-4 shootout win by the Canucks on Dec 20th being part of that run. Still, this is a Bruins team very much in the mix over in the East, and with how genuinely dreadful the Canucks have been at home this season, I am not particularly hopeful they're going to emerge victorious from this one, regardless of what their record in the second game of back to backs may say.

LINEUPS

This is totally on the nhl dot com thingy, but here's what to expect tonight:

Bruins projected lineup

Alex Steeves -- Elias Lindholm -- Morgan Geekie

Casey Mittelstadt -- Pavel Zacha -- Viktor Arvidsson

Marat Khusnutdinov -- Fraser Minten -- David Pastrnak

Mikey Eyssimont -- Sean Kuraly -- Mark Kastelic

Nikita Zadorov -- Charlie McAvoy

Hampus Lindholm -- Jonathan Aspirot

Mason Lohrei -- Andrew Peeke

Jeremy Swayman

Joonas Korpisalo

Scratched: Jeffrey Viel, Vladislav Kolyachonok

Injured: Tanner Jeannot (undisclosed), Jordan Harris (ankle), Henri Jokiharju (undisclosed)

Canucks projected lineup

Jake DeBrusk -- Elias Pettersson -- Linus Karlsson

Evander Kane -- Max Sasson -- Brock Boeser

Drew O'Connor -- David Kampf -- Kiefer Sherwood

Liam Ohgren -- Aatu Raty -- Nils Hoglander

Marcus Pettersson -- Filip Hronek

Zeev Buium -- Tyler Myers

Elias Pettersson -- Tom Willander

Kevin Lankinen

Thatcher Demko

Scratched: P.O Joseph, Arshdeep Bains

Injured: Conor Garland (upper body), Marco Rossi (lower body), Filip Chytil (concussion protocol), Teddy Blueger (lower body), Derek Forbort (undisclosed)

Looks like the only changes are Joseph out and EP25 in, as well as Kevin Lankinen getting the crease tonight. The Bruins are going with Swayman in goal again tonight.

GAME DAY CHATTER

GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN

A lil Christmas present from US death metallers MOLDER, covering the EXODUS classic 'Piranha' off 'Bonded By Blood'. Vocalist Aaren Pantke has absolutely nailed Paul Baloff's vocal tone here, and he would definitely approve. Love the 'demo tape' cover here, too.

Enjoy the game, folks. Fuck fascists everywhere. Go Canucks Go!