Canucks are going to be facing a rested Nashville Predators squad before leaving town for Monday’s game in Montreal
Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena
TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The buzz: It’s never easy playing a back-to-back, especially against a rested team. Friday’s curiosity is that the Predators are waiting in Vancouver, waiting for the home team to return. The Canucks play Thursday in Seattle, and while it’s just a short trip home, they are still going to be facing a rested Predators squad. Nashville, though, has lost three straight.
The hope: A new year, a new spark? Put all the chaos behind them? The Canucks need something, anything, to get themselves moving in a positive direction. Why not start now?
The fear: The Canucks’ pop-gun offence will continue to be something to overcome.
The latest: Predators forward Zach L’Heureux was suspended for three games on Thursday. He slew-footed Minnesota’s Jaren Spurgeon on Tuesday and was handed a match penalty.
The lineup:
DeBrusk-Miller-Boeser
Höglander-Suter-Garland
Heinen-Blueger-Sherwood
Joshua-Sasson-PDG
Hughes-Myers
Soucy-Juulsen
Forbort-Desharnais
Lankinen
The prediction: Unlike the Canucks, the Predators’ game is at least trending in the right direction, even if they’re not getting results. They’re just playing better hockey right now, and should be considered favourites. Watch the visitors take this one 4-2.