Canucks Gameday Preview #44: Vancouver Ends Seven-Game Road Trip In Columbus

The Canucks have gone 5-1 through their first six games of the road trip.

Photo by Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Canucks Gameday Preview #44: Vancouver Ends Seven-Game Road Trip In Columbus

The Vancouver Canucks (29-11-3) finish off their seven-game road trip with a matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-21-9). This will be the first of two meetings between the Canucks and Blue Jackets, with the two sides splitting the season series in 2022-23. With a victory, Vancouver would become the first team to 30 wins while also setting a new season high with their sixth straight victory.

Arguably, the best way to describe the vibe going into this game is weird. Not only is it a 10 AM PT start, but there was a chance this game would have been postponed as the Canucks needed to drive from Buffalo to Toronto just to get to Columbus in time. Add in the fact that this is Vancouver's seventh road game in less than two weeks, and they are playing a team with just two wins in their last ten; it will be understandable if today's game is sluggish from start to finish.

Players to Watch

Tyler Myers

Tyler Myers has played very well during this road trip. In the last six games, he has averaged 19:47 of ice time while recording a goal and an assist. With only one recorded giveaway over that time, he has calmed down his game and is one of the defencemen Rick Tocchet has placed a lot of faith in so far this season.

Adam Fantilli

Adam Fantilli has had an excellent start to his NHL career and is one of the Blue Jackets' most dangerous players. He sits second in points with 25 and is one of four players on Columbus' roster to have hit double digits in goals. Looking to snap a five-game goalless drought, do not be surprised if he is among the leaders in shots by the end of the game.

Projected Lineup

Pettersson- Miller- Boeser

Mikheyev- Suter- Kuzmenko

Joshua- Bleuger- Garland

Höglander- Åman- Lafferty

Hughes- Hronek

Zadorov-Cole

Soucy- Myers

DeSmith

Demko

Odd Courtesy of BetMGM

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