The Vancouver Canucks face the Seattle Kraken minus one of their star forwards.
The Vancouver Canucks (13-6-1) will be looking to even up their season series with the Seattle Kraken (8-8-5) tonight without one of their top goal scorers from last season. In a surprising move, it looks as though head coach Rick Tocchet has decided to scratch forward Andrei Kuzmenko from the lineup tonight. While this is the first time he has been scratched this year, he has been benched for stretches of time this season as he has struggled at both ends of the ice.
When asked about Kuzmenko by reporters at the morning skate, Tocchet said, "I think Kuzy needs a reset. I think he needs to get his game a little sharper." Tochett would also go on to discuss playing within the system and how he needs to be better in his own end. So far this season, Kuzmenko has seen three goals and 14 points in 19 games but has gone pointless in three straight.
As for the Kraken, they come in having collected points in each of their last four games, including a 4-3 victory over Vancouver last Saturday. Led by Oliver Bjorkstrand and Vince Dunn, Seattle seems to have found their legs after a slow start to the season. In net, it looks like Joey Daccord will get his tenth start of the campaign. In three games versus Vancouver, he holds a 0-1 record with a .886% save percentage and a goals-against average of 3.60.
Players to Watch
Sam Lafferty
With Kuzemnko being scratched, this is the perfect example for Sam Lafferty to show what he can do up the lineup. He is projected to play alongside Elias Pettersson and Ilya Mikheyev and will be looked to bring some strong defensive play and a physical presence to that line. A player who has looked very good so far this season will he be able to replicate some of his success in the bottom six in the top six.
Yanni Gourde
Yanni Gourde is a pain in the side of the Canucks every time he has faced them. In 14 games, the Kraken's third-line center has 11 points, including scoring the last time these two teams faced off. If Vancouver can win the matchup against his line, it will go a long way in securing a win.
Projected Lineup
Lafferty-Pettersson-Mikheyev
Beauvillier-Miller-Boeser
Joshua-Blueger-Garland
Di Giuseppe-Aman-Höglander
Hughes-Hronek
Friedman-Myers
Cole-McWard
Demko
Desmith
Game Information
Start Time: 7:00 pm PT
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650