The Canucks have won the last four meetings versus the Anaheim Ducks.
For the first time this season, the Vancouver Canucks (14-7-1) are set to take on their division rivals from California, the Anaheim Ducks (9-12-0). Vancouver swept the season series 4-0 in 2022-23, recording 34 or more shots in each game. Expect a fired-up Ducks team who will be looking to break a six-game losing streak tonight.
The focus of tonight's game from a Canucks perspective will be the play of Andrei Kuzmenko. The Russian winger has not had a good season up to this point and is set to rejoin the lineup after being scratched the last two games. As head coach Rick Tocchet has said multiple times, the hope is this mini break for Kuzmenko will help him reset and find his form for the rest of the year.
Canuck fans could also be in store for some history tonight courtesy of captain Quinn Hughes. With a point against the Ducks, he would set the franchise record for the longest point streak by a defenceman at 12 games. It would also be just the 37th time in NHL history a defenceman has had a 12-game point streak. While he has a ways to go before breaking the all-time record of 28 set by Paul Coffey in 1985-86, his recent play indicates that he has a good chance of breaking the franchise record tonight.
Players to Watch
Andrei Kuzmenko
This game will be a good indicator of whether Tocchet's form of tough love worked on Kuzmenko. Plain and simple, he needs to step up and show that he can be a valuable piece in the lineup. If he falters once again, this already tense situation could get worse, especially considering the financial investment Vancouver made in him last season.
Pavel Mintyukov
Canuck fans are in for a treat tonight as they will get to see potential Calder Trophy finalist Pavel Mintyukov this evening. The Ducks' blueliner has 12 points through 21 games and, at only 20 years old, is averaging close to 19 minutes a game. A player who isn't afraid to throw hits and block shots, he has the potential to be a pain in Vancouver's side for a long time.
Potential Lines
Mikheyev-Pettersson-Kuzmenko
Beauvillier-Miller-Boeser
Joshua-Blueger-Garland
Höglander-Åman- Lafferty.
Hughes-Hronek
Cole-Juulsen
McWard-Myers
Demko
DeSmith
Game Information
Start Time: 7:00 pm PT
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650