While Quinn Hughes' impact on the game wasn't massive, it's obvious the Canucks are a different team with him in the lineup. And while they almost let that one slip away, they came out of LA with two much needed points ahead of a meeting with the surging Anaheim Ducks.
Vancouver Canucks (27-20-11) vs. Anaheim Ducks (25-25-7)
7:00 pm PST; 10:00 pm EST
TV: Sportsnet Pacific
Radio: Sportsnet 650
That was hardly what you'd call a classic, but I think it's a little unfair to lay all the blame at the feet of the Canucks for what was for two periods at least, pretty dreary to watch. The Kings literally thrive on a smothering defensive game, and to the Canucks credit, found themselves up by a pair against LA after 40 minutes. The third period collapse is a new feature this season that quite frankly, needs to go. Their inability to hold leads is why they're in the situation they are, and not doing this on a regular basis was one of the best parts about the team last season.
Heading into OT, you couldn't blame anyone in Canucks nation for feeling like this was going to be another OT loss, especially when noted Canucks lover* Wes MacCauley tossed Drew O'Connor into the box on a fairly liberal interpretation of the tripping statute. The Canucks didn't let it phase them, though, and managed to kill off the penalty, seeming to gain some spark after Derek Forbort absolutely hammered LA's Anze Kopitar.
Not long after that, the Canucks pressed, and off a nice zone entry by Filip Chytyl, Conor Garland rifled a shot past David Rittich for the winner with 33.8 seconds left in OT. Garland had a fantastic night, with two goals and a number of chances. Another solid outing, albeit not a terribly busy one for Kevin Lankinen, and while we should expect to see Arturs Silovs in goal tonight against the Ducks, it wouldn't surprise me to see them try to go with Lankinen again, even though resting him would be the smarter option.
The Ducks have been one of the hotter teams in the NHL over the last month or so, having won 7 of their last 10 games. They have however dropped two straight this week, and all of their games this month have been decided by one goal, so expect another 'barnburner', I guess?
LINEUPS
Scrawled in what appears to be blood on the walls inside The Hall of Presidents, we found tonight's lineups, but we're hearing this is what they have over on nhl dot com, as well...
10 p.m. ET; Victory+, KCOP-13, SNP, TVAS
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- Elias Pettersson -- Nils Hoglander
Dakota Joshua -- Filip Chytil -- Conor Garland
Drew O’Connor -- Pius Suter -- Brock Boeser
Arshdeep Bains -- Teddy Blueger -- Kiefer Sherwood
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Marcus Pettersson -- Tyler Myers
Elias Nils Pettersson -- Derek Forbort
Arturs Silovs
Kevin Lankinen
Scratched: Carson Soucy, Nils Aman, Victor Mancini
Injured: Thatcher Demko (lower body), Noah Juulsen (hernia)
Ducks projected lineup
Frank Vatrano -- Ryan Strome -- Troy Terry
Mason McTavish -- Leo Carlsson -- Alex Killorn
Cutter Gauthier -- Isac Lundestrom -- Sam Colangelo
Ross Johnston -- Jansen Harkins -- Brett Leason
Jackson LaCombe -- Radko Gudas
Pavel Mintyukov -- Jacob Trouba
Brian Dumoulin -- Drew Helleson
Lukas Dostal
Oscar Dansk
Scratched: Olen Zellweger
Injured: John Gibson (upper body), Brock McGinn (knee), Robby Fabbri (upper body)
Suspended: Trevor Zegras
With the Canucks going back to a 12 F 6 D setup tonight, that should see Arshdeep Bains back in the lineup. While it has yet to be confirmed, Tyler Myers looks like he'll be in after a frightening injury during the OT last night in LA, where he was hit in the throat area by a puck. Tocchet hasn't ruled him out, so we'll see if he's good to go. If not, Carson Soucy will likely slot back in, instead of being listed as a scratch again tonight.
The Ducks are missing some important pieces, with Trevor Zegras out following a three game suspension for a head shot earlier this week. They're also missing G John Gibson, who has been pretty solid for them this season. They got outshot 37-18 by the Sabres on Tuesday night in a 3-2 loss in Buffalo.
GAME DAY CHATTER
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Today we've got an absolute ripper from Brazil's VIOLATOR. Here's 'Respect Existence Or Expect Resistance'. Fascism is coming, so be ready to fight.
Enjoy the game, everyone. Go Canucks Go! Fuck fascism! Fuck the USA!
