Pre-Game Talk: Game #36: Vancouver Canucks @ Minnesota Wild - Tuesday, Dec.17th 5:00PM - SNET-P

[Nuckles]

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WHEN: Tuesday, December 17th, 5:00PM PST
WHERE: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
TV: Sportsnet Pacific
RADIO: TEAM 1040AM

Vancouver Canucks

Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Jannik Hansen
Chris Higgins - Ryan Kesler - Mike Santorelli
David Booth - Brad Richardson - Zack Kassian
Jeremy Welsh - Zac Dalpe - Dale Weise

Dan Hamhuis - Chris Tanev
Jason Garrison - Yannick Weber
Ryan Stanton - Kevin Bieksa

Roberto Luongo


Minnesota Wild

Parise - Koivu - Coyle
Niederreiter - Haula - Pominville
Cooke - Brodziak - Bulmer
Heatley - Konopka - Mitchell

Suter - Brodin
Scandella - Spurgeon
Ballard - Stoner

Bäckström

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Click to read more...

 

[Royal Canuck]

Hoping to keep the winning streak going after an emotional win against Boston.

 

[DS7]

This is a small thing, trivial and definitely petty, but the absence of Andrew Alberts in our lineup brings a smile to my face.

 

[Nuckles]

Watch out for Ballard hip-checks and we should be good. Keep the win streak alive, never lose a game again this season + playoffs!

 

[KeninsFan]

Minny is a team that has weak offense. Very weak now that Nino is slowing down.

Hopefully our airtight D keeps it up, Kesler's line matches up well with Parise's.

Torts should have them fired up but this is a game that the AV coached Nucks would lose.

 

[luongo321]

Lu is starting in Minnesota? This should be interesting.

 

[prophetofgreed]

Hopefully the streak keeps going if the team keeps themselves focussed.

 

[member 202355]

Lou is starting? I'd put Lack in, he deserves more playing time.

 

[deadinthewater]

Minnesota's got a really good home record. It would be really great to win this one. We'd be gaining two points and taking two away from a team that's right behind us.

 

[Nuckles]

Lou is starting? I'd put Lack in, he deserves more playing time.

Lu is starting in Minnesota? This should be interesting.

Nothing is confirmed, it's just a guess. Torts usually doesn't announce the starter until the morning skate.

 

[Betamax*]

Lou is starting? I'd put Lack in, he deserves more playing time.

I think given that they are neck in neck competing for a Playoffs spot, Torts should go with the more proven goalie who's in fine form. Now the next two games is tricky. As the Canucks probably have a better chance at beating the Stars over the Blackhawks in back to backs. I'd probably go with Bobby Lu against the Stars and give Lack the tougher on paper Blackhawks start. Although given the Canucks' history with the Blackhawks, I could see Torts going the other way.

 

[Grumbler]

Kind of nervous going into this game. The wild has had trouble scoring for a while, hope they don't explode on us like the Rangers did.

 

[Eddy Punch Clock]

I'd put Lack in, he deserves more playing time.

I approve of this message.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

I think given that they are neck in neck competing for a Playoffs spot, Torts should go with the more proven goalie who's in fine form. Now the next two games is tricky. As the Canucks probably have a better chance at beating the Stars over the Blackhawks in back to backs. I'd probably go with Bobby Lu against the Stars and give Lack the tougher on paper Blackhawks start. Although given the Canucks' history with the Blackhawks, I could see Torts going the other way.

Tough decision, but Luongo actually plays lights out against the Hawks usually, so I'd put him in for that one. Throwaway games don't exist on this team under Torts.

 

[Rotting Corpse*]

Lou is starting? I'd put Lack in, he deserves more playing time.

Two days off and there another back-to-back upcoming. Luo will start against the Wild so that he and Lack can split the Stars/Hawks, no doubt.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Two days off and there another back-to-back upcoming. Luo will start against the Wild so that he and Lack can split the Stars/Hawks, no doubt.

Yup, that's how I see it as well. Save Lack's game for the back to back.

 

[Lemurion]

This game matters more to me than the Boston one. Points are always good, but taking them from Minny makes more of a difference in the playoff race.

 

[Wetcoaster]

Watch out for Ballard hip-checks and we should be good. Keep the win streak alive, never lose a game again this season + playoffs!

Once the Canucks make the play-offs the goal is to never lose your last game.

 

[Jyrki]

We're closing into the top of the division. Let's get into striking distance!

 

[Rotting Corpse*]

I notice Ballard's ice time in Minnesota is less this year than last, and that he's been at 11-12 minutes in his last 5 games or so. Kinda dispels the idea that he was just a victim of AV irrationally hating him or whatever. Or it should, anyway.

 

[thekernel]

Yup, that's how I see it as well. Save Lack's game for the back to back.

I'd rather Lack get the start in Minnesota, I know Torts won't really believe Lu's garbage numbers at the Xcel Energy Center have to do with anything other than luck. But if we lose 5-1 I'll be the first to say "I told ya..."

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

I'd rather Lack get the start in Minnesota, I know Torts won't really believe Lu's garbage numbers at the Xcel Energy Center have anything to do with anything other than luck. But if we lose 5-1 I'll be the first to say "I told ya..."

Then we either have to give Lack Dallas or Lu gets two plays in a row. No way Lack should get the start against Chicago. That should always be Lu's game.

 

[SergioMomesso]

Luo vs Minny.
Lack vs Dallas
Luo vs Chicago

 

[TruKnyte]

Yet another team we need to beat to stay in the playoff picture. Hopefully the team continues it's hot streak.

 

[vanuck]

From last PGT:

makaveli's new video is pretty funny hahaha

Is there a link?