The Canucks get their first test against North Vancouver product Macklin Celebrini, the first-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft
Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks
When/where: Monday, 6 p.m., Rogers Arena
TV: Amazon Prime. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The buzz: It’s almost Christmas. Why can’t we have nice things, at least for one night?
Everybody should just get along. Mistakes should be kept to a minimum, scoring opportunities executed to the maximum, with good tidings to all and to all a good night. Right?
Ah, yes, if it was only that simple.
The Canucks have too often robbed their loyal and rabid fan following by playing Grinch. Starting slower than an old lawn mower on home ice, and committing egregious errors at the most inopportune times, have led to a paltry 6-7-5 record at Rogers Arena.
Talk about a lump of coal. What happened to that marvellous 27-9-5 record on home ice last season?
“Too many penalties and we’ve got to start taking pressure off ourselves and you can’t give power plays, especially early in the game. We have to clean up the discipline.”
He’s adept at the no-look pass that hits the tape and will play a puck off the boards to elude defenders and then either take it to the net or find his linemates.
Celebrini missed a dozen games after his debut with a lower-body injury, but has seven points (3-4) in his last five games and 11 goals in 24 games — including three game-winners.
“The kid is a player,” lauded Tocchet. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him. You can’t give a guy like that odd-man rushes and when we have a chance to play thought him, you have to play through him. Or at least know where he is. And if you have him, make sure you have him.
“Don’t puck watch.”
The fear: The vastly-improved penalty kill that has been successful in 17 of the last 19 short-handed situations, is overtaxed against the Sharks. The Canucks are taking too many penalties of late and early ones are killing momentum.
The top guns: Hughes continues to remain in conversation for a second-straight Norris Trophy and even gathering Hart Trophy votes. The Canucks captain had three points (1-2) on Saturday, logged 26:20 and had five shots and nine attempts. He’s second in production for all blueineres with 40 points (8-32).
The lineup:
Di Giuseppe-Miller-Boeser
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Hoglander
Joshua-Suter-Garland
Heinen-Blueger-Sherwood
Hughes-Myers
Soucy-Juulsen
Forbort-Desharnais
The prediction: The Sharks are surrendering the fifth-most goals per outing (3.47) and have taken fifth-most penalties. Canucks take advantage for 5-2 win.