Quinn Hughes is back. Elias Pettersson is playing better. The Canucks are generating more shots. They should be on the upswing.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks
TV: Hockey Night in Canada Radio: Sportsnet 650
The buzz: The Canucks need to start racking up wins. Why not against the second (?) worst team in the NHL? That said, the Canucks are two different narratives right now — they’re a team that has been generally struggling, having lost six of 10. But they’ve also won three of five and have outshot the opposition. They are creating far more than they have in recent months. Is it a trend? They sure hope so.
The history: The Canucks have beaten the Blackhawks twice this season, 6-3 and 4-1. Chicago just lost to San Jose and are a total tire fire.
The fear: Trap game. Chicago has no business being in this one so, of course, watch them have a good game.
The projected lineup:
Joshua-Pettersson-Garland
O’Connor-Chytil-Lekkerimäki
DeBrusk-Suter-Boeser
Höglander-Blueger-Sherwood
Hughes-Hronek
M. Pettersson-Myers
E. Pettersson-Forbort
Lankinen
The prediction: The Blackhawks really do stink. The Canucks are going to win 4-1.