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Vancouver Canucks vs. Philadelphia Flyers

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When/the place: Friday, 7 p.m., Rogers Area

TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650

The thrill: Scoring targets, nobody thought that will be an issue for the Vancouver Canucks. In Wednesday’s season opener, the Canucks opened in addition to could be, firing 4 targets within the first interval. 4 targets ought to get you a win. Then they misplaced their means, blowing a 4-1 lead earlier than coming again late within the sport. The defence simply wasn’t adequate — and that’s one thing that a minimum of a number of of us anxious about coming into the season.

That, greater than something, is the large query because the season will get going. Can the Canucks type out their defensive play?

The historical past: It’s nearly forgotten given how nicely final season went however the Canucks seemed like they have been in deep trouble in simply the third sport of the season final yr. After beating the Oilers within the first two video games of the season — an 8-1 blowout at residence, then a wild 4-3 theft in Edmonton — the Canucks put collectively a real stinker in Philadelphia, dropping 2-0. Rick Tocchet ripped his crew after that sport. Then the Canucks went on a tear. However they did no higher at residence proper after Christmas, dropping 4-1 at Rogers Area. There’s one thing about how John Tortorella has his crew enjoying towards his previous crew…can the Canucks flip fortunes round this yr?

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The hope: The Canucks misplaced focus after getting up 4-1 and forgot their particulars. Head coach Rick Tocchet known as it hockey from a yr and a half in the past, when he first arrived in Vancouver. It’s a easy repair that the gamers will cleared the path on, he thinks.

The worry: The chaotic defending on Wednesday can’t be a pattern. This crew certainly is aware of how you can play prefer it did final yr. However what in the event that they don’t?

The highest weapons: J.T. Miller was sensational on Wednesday, bagging a Gordie Howe hat trick. Brock Boeser scored twice. The Canucks have been nice on offence.

The wounded: Canucks: Thatcher Demko (knee, IR), Dakota Joshua (testicular most cancers, IR), Pius Suter (decrease, physique, day-to-day). Flyers: .

The quote: “It wasn’t horrible. It simply seemed horrible” — Tocchet identified that his crew solely gave up 6 high-danger probabilities towards Calgary. Nonetheless have to be higher although.

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The lineup: 

Heinen-Miller-Boeser

DeBrusk-Pettersson-Sprong

Hoglander-Suter-Garland

Raty-Blueger-Sherwood

Hughes-Hronek

Soucy-Myers

Forbort-Juulsen

Lankinen

The prediction: It’s the season opener for the Flyers. The Canucks need to bounce again. Look ahead to a a lot tighter 3-2 win for Vancouver.

The most recent: Friday Tocchet confirmed what appeared almost certainly throughout Thursday’s observe: Vinny Desharnais shall be a wholesome scratch, changed by Noah Juulsen. Desharnais was signed to a two-year, $4 million contract in the summertime.

Kevin Lankinen will make his first begin as a Canuck.

(FAN FORUM: Do you have got a particular query for a participant? Go it alongside to @provincesports and we’ll get it in a future version.)

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pjohnston@postmedia.com

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