Vancouver Canucks Round 1, Game 1 Preview: Welcome To The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Adam Kierszenblat

Apr 21, 2024, 07:01

Adam Kierszenblat

Apr 21, 2024, 07:01

The Vancouver Canucks kick off the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a matchup against the Nashville Predators.

After nine long years, NHL playoff hockey has officially returned to Vancouver. As they did in 2011, the Vancouver Canucks are ready to take on the Nashville Predators in what they hope will be the start of a long postseason run. With a win, the Canucks will pick up their first playoff victory since September 3, 2020, when they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the second round.

Heading into this game, Vancouver will need to keep their emotions in check as many players, including Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, will be playing their first postseason game with fans in the building. Based on the way these two teams played in the regular season, it should be a physical series with plenty of scrums taking place after the whistles. The Canucks also need to ensure they build off the energy from the crowd, as an early goal or big hit could create a deafening cheer inside Rogers Arena.

Players to Watch

J.T. Miller

J.T. Miller is one of the most experienced players on this team, having gone to multiple Eastern Conference Finals early in his career. He is a leader on this team and will be relied heavily upon not just to provide offence but to play a physical game against the Predators' top players. Do not be surprised if he finds the scoresheet as he looks to guide Vancouver to a Game 1 win.

Ryan O'Reilly

When the playoffs come around, Ryan O'Reilly takes his game to another level. The former Conn Smythe Trophy winner is a master in the faceoff dot and can shut down the top players in the game. He is going to be a thorn in the Canucks side all series and will be looking for a way to leave his mark on Game 1.

Canucks Projected Lineup

Suter-Miller-Boeser

Lafferty-Pettersson-Höglander

Joshua-Lindholm-Garland

Di Giuseppe-Blueger-Mikheyev

Hughes- Hronek

Soucy- Myers

Zadorov- Cole

Demko

DeSmith

Predators Projected Lines

Forsberg- O'Reilly- Nyquist