Canucks Gameday Preview #68: Vancouver Looks To Inch Closer To A Playoff Spot With Alex Ovechkin And The Capitals In Town

Adam Kierszenblat

Mar 16, 2024

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Adam Kierszenblat

Mar 16, 2024

Partner

The Canucks defeated the Capitals 3-2 in overtime last month.

For the only time this season, the Vancouver Canucks (42-17-8) welcome the Washington Capitals (31-25-9) to Rogers Arena. A visit from the Capitals also means Canucks fans will get to see "The Great 8", Alex Ovechkin for the only time this season. Currently sitting at 840 goals, he is hot on Wayne Gretzky's tail and is now just 54 behind "The Great One" for the NHL's all-time goals record.

For Vancouver, a win would mean taking another step closer to a postseason berth. Currently with 92 points on the season, they are three back of last year's Western Conference playoff bar and could clinch their spot in the 2024 postseason by next week. If the Canucks can win board battles and limit Washington's opportunities, they should be able to walk away with win number 43 on the campaign.

Players to Watch

Filip Hronek

Come playoff time, Vancouver will need Filip Hronek to become a consistent point producer once again. The Canucks defenceman has struggled offensively over his last ten games, with only three points during that span. With the Capitals allowing over three goals per game, this is an excellent opportunity for Hronek to break out of his slump.

Rasmus Sandin

Rasmus Sandin is showing that he can be a top-pair defenseman at the NHL level. He is averaging over 21 minutes a game and has already set a new career high with 90 blocked shots. While he may not get on the scoresheet, he is a pain to play against and should make life difficult for the Canucks forwards all game.

Projected Lineup

Höglander- Pettersson- Suter

Mikheyev- Miller- Boeser

Podkolzin- Lindholm- Garland

Di Giuseppe- Blueger- Lafferty

Hughes- Hronek

Soucy- Myers

Zadorov- Cole

DeSmith

Šilovs

Odd Courtesy of BetMGM

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