VANCOUVER CANUCKS (29-33-5) vs LOS ANGELES KINGS (40-20-9)
7:00 PM PST
CRYPTO.COM ARENA, LOS ANGELES, CA
TV: SN PACIFIC, SN360, CITY. RADIO: SN650
While I would hesitate to call Thursday's 3-2 loss in Arizona a rude awakening, I do think it was a bit of a reality check. It definitely harshed the buzz after that five game winning streak. Only a fool would have thought it could continue, though, especially when your power play goes 0-5 on the night.
So now we wait to see how Rick Tocchet responds, and in turn, how the Canucks respond after a loss to team that's really not that good (and yes, I am aware of who the Vancouver Canucks are, thank you for asking). The task ahead is a tough one, as they take on the Kings before heading up to San Jose tomorrow. LA may not be a serious Cup contender, but they're making their way back after a rebuild that's seen them focus on building through the draft. Gosh, that sounds great. Anyway, they've been on an absolute tear of late, going 8-1-1 in their last ten, and are definitely going to be better than we saw back in November, when the Canucks beat them 4-1.
LINEUPS
Kings projected lineup
Quinton Byfield -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Iafallo -- Blake Lizotte -- Gabriel Vilardi
Carl Grundstrom -- Rasmus Kupari -- Arthur Kaliyev
Mikey Anderson -- Drew Doughty
Vladislav Gavrikov -- Matt Roy
Alexander Edler -- Jordan Spence
Scratched: Zack MacEwen, Sean Walker, Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Injured: Kevin Fiala (lower body), Sean Durzi (upper body)
I wouldn't at all be surprised to see changes to both teams lineups that are listed here.
It could be interesting to see who comes out in place of Bear, especially given how much better the Canucks have been playing defensively of late. Also, you have to think the Canucks will be eager to get Aidan McDonough in for his first NHL game. On the other bench, I would imagine that the recently acquired Zack MacEwan will get into the lineup for the Kings, and he'll be eager to have a big night against his former team. Prepare for a long night of tweets about toughness, I guess.
GAME DAY CHATTER
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Yeah, I know yesterday was St Paddy's Day, but you shouldn't need a holiday to enjoy some traditional Irish music. How about GAMA BOMB covering the classic 'If I Should Fall From Grace With God' by THE POGUES, featuring a guest appearance by Spider Stacy of the Pogues. So nurse that hangover and crank this one!
