The Vancouver Canucks sail into Seattle hoping to right their course before it’s too late.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Seattle Kraken
When: Thursday, 7 p.m., Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The history: Seattle won on Saturday, coming back from 4-1 down in the final five minutes. That was just the third time in NHL history a team has won in such a fashion.
The hope: The Canucks did control most of the game on Saturday, but were undone by their own poor execution in the final stages of the game. They needed 60 minutes worth of play, but only managed 55 minutes on Saturday.
The fear: The team seems very low on confidence. Without Hughes, they’re struggling to create scoring opportunities. Tuesday in Calgary was case in point; they were badly out played by the Flames.
The latest: Joey Daccord remains on the shelf for Seattle; he didn’t practice Wednesday. The Canucks again are likely to face Phillipp Grubauer, who has struggled this season.
The lineup:
DeBrusk-Miller-Boeser
Höglander-Suter-Garland
Heinen-Blueger-Sherwood
Joshua-Sasson-PDG
Hughes-Myers
Soucy-Juulsen
Forbort-Desharnais
Demko
The prediction: Surely Vancouver will start the year off right, right? Look for a 4-2 win for Vancouver, revenge for Saturday’s disappointment.