The Flying 5: Canucks in Calgary for Hockey Day Finale
Canucks at Flames 7:00 PST on Hockey Night in Canada and Team 1040
The Flying Five; five thoughts or story lines heading into tonight’s game for you to wrap your head around.
I. Kesler Connecting
It has long been believed that the Sedin twins were the embodiment of the Vancouver Canucks’ scoring touch while Ryan Kesler has represented the toughness in Vancouver. Over the last week Vancouver’s pair of top-six pivots have turned the tables on that school of thought as Kesler pushes on to pile up the goals and Sedin continues to stand strong on a badly bruised leg. Kesler is riding a seven game point streak and five game goal scoring streak into tonight’s matchup against the Flames after receiving some masterful words of motivation from Head Coach Alain Vigneault last month. With only one assist during that stretch (6-1-7) Kesler hasn’t exactly been using his linemates more, but the streak is sure to free up space for his wingers tonight in Calgary.
II. Flames Laughing over Olli
Just as Ryan Kesler has kicked his scoring touch into high gear, Flames forward Olli Jokinen has been tearing up the Western Conference over his last five games, tallying five goals and three assists in a busy week for the Finnish Flame. After Jokinen tallied his first career goal against the Canucks franchise earlier this season can he continue his torrid pace tonight opposite his bitter Northwest Division rivals? Jokinen has found his stride alongside Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla during his hot streak and could be one of the keys to the game tonight in Calgary.
III. Road Rhythm
The Canucks haven’t exactly played their best hockey of the season over the past several games, but find themselves looking for a win to close out a four-game sweep of their current road trip. After a pair of shootout wins over the Avalanche and Predators the Canucks iced a more complete game against the Minnesota Wild, leading up to the road finale tonight against the Flames. After proving that good teams win even the bad games, the Canucks carry all the momentum heading into Calgary only one game away from home and happiness after a successful road trip.
IV. Luongo vs. Kiprusoff
Roberto Luongo is expected to start opposite Mikka Kiprusoff tonight in the final game of Canada’s day-long hockey celebration. Luongo has celebrated a streak of success lately; his last regulation loss was nearly a month ago January 15th at home against the Anaheim Ducks. Luongo and backup Cory Schneider have been the key reason for Vancouver’s success over their four-game road trip and the starter can expect another busy sixty minutes tonight in Calgary. Kiprusoff will need to improve on his career 3.29 goals-against-average tonight against the Canucks to give his team a chance in the fourth meeting between the two division rivals on Hockey Night in Canada from Calgary.
V. Road Warriors Weary
After declaring a near clean bill of health heading into their current four-game road trip, the Canucks have felt the effects of the tight Western Conference playoff race. Dale Weise missed Thursday’s game against the Wild and is day-to-day with a foot injury. Mike Duco filled in on Thursday and is expected to start tonight game in Calgary as well as Weise continues to recover. Defenceman Keith Ballard will also miss tonight’s game with a neck injury that has been bothering him over the last few weeks. Ballard has already flown home ahead of the team for treatment.
Who throws a glove? Kevin freakin’ Bieksa does. “During my release I wondered if it was a good thing then after my release I knew it was a good thing,” Bieksa told Dan Murphy.
Projected Score: Canucks grind out gritty 4-3 win to complete road sweep.
31-23, 2 bang-on.
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