The Vancouver Canucks meet the San Jose Sharks for the second time this season.
The Vancouver Canucks (12-5-1) will look to break their mini two-game losing streak as they welcome the San Jose Sharks (3-13-1) to Rogers Arena. This will be the second time these two Pacific Division rivals meet, with the first matchup being a 10-1 victory for Vancouver at the Shark Tank.
There is only expected one change to the Canucks lineup ahead of tonight's game, as Mark Friedman, who was a healthy scratch against the Seattle Kraken, is expected to draw in for Akito Hirose, according to head coach Rick Tocchet. Thatcher Demko is projected to start for Vancouver, while Mackenzie Blackwood will start for the Sharks. In nine career starts versus the Sharks, Demko holds a 9-0 record with a .928 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.10.
As for Blackwood, he has had plenty of success against Vancouver in his career. In six games, he has a perfect 5-0 record with a .938 save percentage, a goals-against average of 1.61 and two shutouts. He did allow four goals on 14 shots against the Canucks earlier this month but was not credited with the loss as he came into the game midway through the second.
Players to Watch:
Elias Pettersson
Elias Pettersson comes into this game on a hot streak, with points in 11 of his last 12 games. The Canucks center registered three assists the last time these two teams played and has 17 points in 16 games against the Sharks in his career. He is one of the league's best when it comes to production on the power play; expect him to be an offensive contributor tonight.
Fabian Zetterlund
Playing in his 99th career game, one question heading into this game will be if Fabian Zetterlund can continue his success against the Canucks. In four games against Vancouver, he has three points and was the only Shark to find the back of the net against the Canucks earlier this season. The co-team leader in goals with four, the Sharks will be looking to him to try and spark their offence.
Canucks Projected Lines:
Mikheyev-Pettersson-Kuzmenko.
Di Giuseppe-Miller-Boeser.
Joshua-Blueger-Garland.
Höglander-Lafferty-Beauvillier.
Hughes-Hronek.
Cole-Friedman.
Juulsen-Myers.
Demko
DeSmith
Game Information
Start Time: 7:00 pm PT
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650