The Canucks host the Blue Jackets while Taylor Swift plays across the street.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vancouver Canucks
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When: Friday, 7 p.m. PT, Rogers Arena
TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The history: This is the first meeting between the two teams this season. They split their two games last season, Columbus winning at home 4-3 in overtime, then the Canucks won 5-4 at Rogers Arena a week or so later. The Blue Jackets are a lesser team offensively than they were, following the death of Johnny Gaudreau, but it seems they have found some fighting spirit out of the tragedy and were 11-10-3 before Thursday’s game against the Oilers in Edmonton.
The hope: The Canucks appear refreshed and rested now that they are home. They have played fast, tight hockey over the past six games, a real turnaround from the plodding mess that they were during their six-game home stand prior. They want to channel that road energy.
The fear: Well, the Canucks have stunk at home so far this season. They’d like to get away from that.
The lineup:
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Boeser
Joshua-Suter-Garland
Höglander-Blueger-Sherwood
Sasson-Räty-Heinen
Hughes-Myers
Soucy-Juulsen
Brännström-Desharnais
Lankinen
The latest: Columbus is playing their third game in four nights and their second-straight against a strong, rested team. This is as great a matchup for the Canucks as you will see this season. Look for the home team to win 4-1.