Canucks Gameday Preview #46: A Hockey Day In Canada Showdown Versus The Maple Leafs

Adam Kierszenblat

Jan 20, 2024, 23:10

Adam Kierszenblat

Jan 20, 2024, 23:10

The Canucks battle the Leafs on Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada.

All eyes will be on Rogers Arena today as the Vancouver Canucks (30-11-4) welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs (22-13-8) to Vancouver for the only time this season. Today's game will also be part of the 24th annual Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, which is being hosted just a few hours away in Victoria, B.C. Tensions will be high not just on the ice but in the stands as Canucks and Leafs fans will battle it out with opposing chants throughout the night.

Once again, most of the attention will be on Andrei Kuzmenko as he looks for his first point since Dec. 23, 2023. Despite continuing to get opportunities with the first power play unit, he is still struggling to produce, which has caused his name to be mentioned in trade rumours over the past few weeks. The question is, will he finally be able to find the net, or will it be another game where he is strapped to the bench in the third period?

Players to Watch

Elias Pettersson

Elias Pettersson has been on fire since the start of 2024. In his past nine games, he has 16 points, with only Nathan MacKinnon producing at a higher points pace since Jan. 1. With a league-leading 11 goals during that span, do not be surprised if he fills up the scoresheet during this marquee matchup.

Austin Matthews

On the other side, the Canucks must be wary whenever Austin Matthews is on the ice. Already up to 37 goals on the season, he loves scoring against Vancouver, with 18 goals in 22 career games versus the Canucks. A matchup nightmare, he will be looking to build off his hat-trick performance the other night versus the Calgary Flames.

Projected Lineup

Pettersson- Miller- Boeser

Mikheyev- Suter- Kuzmenko

Joshua- Bleuger- Garland

Höglander- Åman- Lafferty

Hughes- Hronek

Zadorov-Cole

Soucy- Myers

Demko

DeSmith

Odd Courtesy of BetMGM

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