Canucks-Flamers Preview
Canucks: 20-13-4 (4th in the West)
Flames: 17-13-7 (7th in the West)
Ah, back to Canuck hockey again. Feels like it's been a long time. Both Vancouver and Calgary have not played since December 23. Both teams lost on that date (Calgary lost 1-0 to the Devils, and the Canucks lost 3-1 to the Avalanche)
We have played the Flames 3 times already this season and have won all 3. Those were back in October and November. A lot has changed since then. For one, the Canucks have become a better team.
However, the Flames have become considerably better more recently. While Vancouver is 5-3-2 in their last 10, Calgary is 7-0-3. Yeah, no more Keenan-bashing is being heard. He's got them playing great hockey in front of an improved Miikka Kiprusoff. Suddenly, the joke that was Calgary is now only 3 points behind us.
Part of the Flames hot streak can obviously be credited to Jarome Iginla (6 points in his last 5 games, yet 0 points in his last 2.) But how about Kristian (The Weasel) Huselius? He has 8 points in his last 5 games played and zero in his last 2. The secondary punch of the Weasel is very key to Calgary's success. He is now 2nd in 
team scoring with 14 goals and 35 points in 37 games.
And how about Adrian Aucoin? Prior to Calgary's 1-0 loss to the Devils last Sunday, the former Canuck had seven points (2-5-7) in the previous five games.
STATS TO PONDER
-the Canucks are 18-3-0 when they score first. Calgary is 10-4-3.
-when leading after 1 period, the Canucks are 10-1-0. When trailing after 1, they are 2-9-2. Huh.
-when leading after 1 period, the Flames are 5-0-3. When trailing after 1 they are 4-8-2. Not many leads after the first period for Calgary.
-when their opponents score first, the Nucks are a dismal 2-10-4. Shitty. I don't like that stat. The Flames are a better 7-9-4 when giving up the first goal.
Where am I getting all this stuff from? Check out this page at Calgary's home site.
NOTABLE RECENT INJURIES
-Canucks: We know the IR guys. But Mattias Ohlund missed Vancouver's last game with a sore neck. He is questionable for tonight.
-Flames: Gandalf the Grey...I mean...Owen Nolan has a sore neck as well. He has missed the Flames' last 3 games.
MY PREDICTION
This is a tough call. Should be a great game between 2 divisional rivals. Will the Canucks contain Calgary's speed? Don't I always say that? If this were in Calgary, I'd call a Flames win, but it's in Van City, where the Nucks have won 4 straight, and Luongo has been red-hot. So I say the Canucks snag a 4-3 win with home ice advantage, and Luongo saves our butts.
Game Time: 7:00 PST
TV: CBC (HD-baby!)
T Tags: Canucks Flames Preview Huselius Iginla Ohlund+neck+injury
3 Comments:
Will be late to the party tonight, as I've got a job scheduled for 6:00pm. Hopefully I wont be too long though.
Playing poker after the game? I'm bringing my "A" game, so you'd better bring yours too.
That rat Jay Jardine is in Ottawa at the Sens/Isles game. Gads I'm so jealous. It feels like ages since the last Canuck game I was at, and since I'm on a winning streak (one in a row, bitch!) I'm anxious to get to Van city for another one.
I think the Canucks PP is going to catch fire tonight, with three goals. They'll add a couple of even strength goals and win 5-2.
Catch ya later, bud.
Yeah, should be a good game. If Ohlund's in the lineup, that helps the Canucks considerably: he's done well against Iginla and co. in the past. The defence isn't as strong without him, which could spell trouble against an offence like Calgary's. Also, the Province has Kesler listed as questionable (light-headedness), which could be a major blow: they also say Ohlund's likely to miss the game. The Canucks could still win without them, but it will be considerably tougher. I think this might be lower-scoring than 4-3, too: Luongo rarely allows three goals, and Kiprusoff's been hot lately.
Jin: Ah shit. I already paried last night and not feeling like doing the same tonight. Could be a home game that I watch at home!
Andrew: I am picking the higher goal count because of the Xmas layoff. All that Bacardi and Eggnog that the players drank makes me think tonight's game could be an off game with more goals. :) I'm serious.
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