Canucks look to extend their point streak to nine games.
The Vancouver Canucks (22-9-2) look to enter the holiday break on a high as they take on the San Jose Sharks (9-21-3). This will be the third time these Pacific Division rivals have met, with the Canucks holding a 2-1 advantage so far this season. With a win, Vancouver would not only extend their point streak to nine games but would enter the holiday break at the top of the league standings.
All eyes will be on Andrei Kuzmenko tonight as he draws back into the lineup. After being healthy scratched against the Dallas Stars, the Canucks winger will be back on the first line, eager to prove head coach Rick Tocchet he deserves to stay in the top six. With 2023 coming to a close, the hope is this latest reset will be the one that gets him back on track for the rest of the season.
Players to Watch
Elias Pettersson
Sitting on career goal number 149 will tonight be the night that Elias Pettersson becomes the 17th player in franchise history to 150 goals. The Canucks center has had success against the Sharks in the past, posting 18 points in 18 games, but only has five goals versus San Jose in his career. With the Sharks averaging 3.90 goals against per game in December, there should be plenty of opportunity for EP40 to hit the milestone.
Jack Studnicka
Facing his former team for the first time since being traded, what type of game is Jack Studnicka going to have? Currently playing on the Sharks' fourth line beside another former Canuck in Justin Bailey, he has provided San Jose with solid depth minutes in three games so far. Expect him to have some energy as he looks to score a goal at Rogers Arena for the first time since December 5, 2022.
Projected Lineup
Mikheyev- Pettersson- Kuzmenko
Höglander- Miller- Boeser
Joshua- Bleuger- Garland
Åman- Suter- Lafferty
Hughes- Hronek
Cole- Juulsen
Zadorov- Myers
Demko
DeSmith
Spread
Canucks: 2.00 (+1.5)
Sharks: 1.83 (-1.5)
Total
Over 6.5: 1.91
Under 6.5: 1.91
Money Line
Canucks: 3.40
Sharks: 1.33
Game Information
Start Time: 7:00 PM PT
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
