THE INTRO
What a way to start the week!
The Canucks are in Tampa to take on the Lightning. Both teams have seven-game win streaks and someone has to lose. It’s been a fun run so far for Canucks fans after losing three-straight prior to this streak.
The early start time might factor in as well for Vancouver but they’ve played the Lightning like any other team in the last few years. This should be a fun one so don’t miss it!
Let’s Do This!
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
The odds for tonight’s game are: (VAN +180/ TBL -220) courtesy of OddsShark.com
TV / RADIO / PUCK DROP
SNP / SN 650 / 4:00 PM
LINEUPS
I can’t imagine the Canucks change it up at all so once again, expect to see the same lineup that won on Saturday.
Jacob Markstrom continues his dominance of the NHL and he should see another start.
Canucks lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 J.T. MILLER |
 ELIAS PETTERSSON |
 BROCK BOESER |
|
 TANNER PEARSON |
 BO HORVAT |
 LOUI ERIKSSON |
|
 ANTOINE ROUSSEL |
 ADAM GAUDETTE |
 JAKE VIRTANEN |
|
 TIM SCHALLER |
 JAY BEAGLE |
 TYLER MOTTE |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER |
 TROY STECHER |
|
 QUINN HUGHES |
 CHRIS TANEV |
|
 OSCAR FANTENBERG |
 TYLER MYERS |
|
Ryan McDonagh is day-to-day with a UBI. He didn’t play Sunday but could slot back in tonight.
With Tampa also riding a seven-game win streak, Andrei Vasilevskiy should start.
Lightning lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 STEVEN STAMKOS |
 BRAYDEN POINT |
 NIKITA KUCHEROV |
|
 ONDREJ PALAT |
 ANTHONY CIRELLI |
 TYLER JOHNSON |
|
 PATRICK MAROON |
 CEDRIC PAQUETTE |
 ALEX KILLORN |
|
 CARTER VERHAEGHE |
 MITCHELL STEPHENS |
 YANNI GOURDE |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 VICTOR HEDMAN |
 JAN RUTTA |
|
 BRAYDON COBURN |
 ERIK CERNAK |
|
 KEVIN SHATTENKIRK |
 MIKHAIL SERGACHEV |
|
GAME NOTES AND A STAT OR TWO
- Elias Pettersson has 44 points going into tonight’s game which is one behind Nikita Kucherov. Of course, Connor McDavid is over 70 so unless there’s a trophy for second place, we’ll just have to enjoy the moment.
- Vancouver is 1-3 in their last four games against Tampa. In all three wins for the Lightning, they have scored at least four goals against the Canucks. Vancouver won 4-1 in Tampa a season ago.
- The Canucks didn’t manage a power-play goal last game so they sit at 26.1%. The Lightning are two spots higher at second with 28.8%. Maybe don’t take a penalty, guys.
- J.T. Miller makes his return to the team that had to part ways with him. It’s his first game back since the trade. He’s been quiet by his standards lately so a big game against his former club would be a nice way to stick it to them.
- Tyler Myers has three goals and an assist in his last three games. This probably won’t last but if he’s producing the team seems to be winning.
#CANUCKSTWITTER
Why not, right?
Canucks need to sign him. Load up for the playoffs! https://t.co/jDYVf7h4WN
— RD (@BuckFoston_) January 7, 2020
Don’t forget, Kirk didn’t.
Kirk McLean told the #Canucks he's hoping we #Quinnthevote – have you voted Quinn Hughes for #NHLAllStar today?!
https://t.co/HQ6f7EbQdL pic.twitter.com/FPplIOEhD2
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) January 6, 2020
MY 94 CENTS
Two teams with monster win streaks will take the ice tonight and the matchup on paper would probably lean pretty heavily towards Tampa. The Canucks have found something that is working for them right now but they will need to stop being outshot and against Tampa, they’ll need to be disciplined as well because the Lightning can shoot.
This one could be a track meet so I’m predicting 6-5 Tampa (Sorry, Canucks fans)
AND ANOTHER THING…
Fun #Canucks Fact of the day: The Canucks are 3-7-3 in games where Jacob Markstrom faces less than 30 shots, but are 6-0 in games when the Canucks allow teams to get 40 or more shots off on their netminder.
— David Quadrelli (@QuadreIli) January 7, 2020
