Canucks: Elias Pettersson Line can’t falter against Nathan Mackinnon

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Vancouver Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche

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When/where: Tuesday at. 19.00, Rogers Arena

TV: Sn Pacific. Radio: Sports net 650

The latest: Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes went out Early with skill coach on Tuesday to test his annoying damage, which could be as simple as a groin strain or something more about. The team has not revealed the nature of the suffering.

Friday in Dallas, Hughes threw a heavy offensive zone control that sent him scattered awkward. And as he went on one of his traditional rotation options and wheel movements to trigger the transition, he wrapped and could not finish the maneuver at speed and fought to end the game.

Hughes suggested that 48 hours between games would give the reigning Norris Trophy winner a better indication of his playing status on Sunday. He was sitting out. However, he plans to play when the United States faces Finland in his 4-nations Face-off opens on February 13 against Finland in Montreal.

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That could mean the suffering is not serious, but Canuck’s head coach Rick Tocchet did not go into. Hughes continues to lead all defenders in the scoring with 59 points (14-45) in 47 games, only one point ahead of Avalanche star Cale Makar, who has played seven more.

“He won’t play tonight,” Tocchet said. “He wants to go out everything, but that’s the right step. You take that day by day with him and with someone. With guys I have seen things linger and for some after 24 hours it helps. We’ll see how it goes. “

There are also reports that Canucks defends Carson Soucy, which was scratched on Sunday, could be sent elsewhere in a trade. He can play tonight, so consider it to be shown to a possible move.

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The Buzz: The rabid and violent fans of the canucks will probably boo the US hymn again to loudly vocalize their contempt for trade war rigs.

But if they choose to also boo NHL leading goal scorer Nathan Mackinnon, a proud native of Halifax, NS, it will be a sporting level of respect for the destruction that the reigning Hart Trophy winner has caused Canucks over a dozen seasons.

The more things change in an ever-developing game, the more they remain the same with Mackinnon, even though the dynamic center has become more complete with a league-high 60 assists to go with 20 goals.

You need to go back to place the superstar place in the game in the correct perspective.

Former Canucks star Daniel Sedin called Mackinnon the best wings to combine an explosive step with the release of a heavy wrist shot packing speed and accuracy. On February 26, 2018 in Denver, there was plenty of evidence that Sedin was a Puck prophet.

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Mackinnon exploded for two goals, three points, nine shots and 19 attempts in a 3-1 win over Canucks.

Shill forward and the task of negating another explosion on Tuesday could fall on Elias Pettersson and Wingers Brock Boeser and Jake De Musme. They should enjoy the opportunity because they have to compensate for Sunday.

The line combined for only four shots and 10 attempts and then disconnected-ice in the offensive zone through the first 40 minutes-in a 3-2 overtime loss to Detroit Red Wings.

“We had a 3-on-1 and a couple of 2-on-1’s and we’re missing the net and don’t connect,” Tocchet said. “I didn’t think they (wings) had many chances all night, but a few rush chances, and that’s in our net.

“We have to hit the net and make moments count.”

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It was made harder by the falling Boeser who did not find the net. The wing has only one goal in his last 10 matches because he does not choose his place and passes the chances of class A. The latter took place in the third period of Canucks trying to do it 2-2.

Boeser drove to the right side and tried to feed a covered player instead of beating a home from his favorite place.

In the first period he was denied on a partial outbreak and then fired far wide on another period chance. To make things worse, Pettersson is scoreless in six matches and has a goal in his last 12. And De Ceysk has a goal in his last 13 excursions.

The story: Second season meeting. Canucks held Avalanche for 25 shots and fired 31 in a 3-1 home-ice win on December 16, when Kiefer Sherwood hit his first career hat trick. He had seven shots and three hits. Canucks has only hit 30-shot platform 11 times and is ranked as 31. At 25.4 per Excursion.

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Hope: The newcomers pick up where they left off. Center Filip Chytil got the dramatic equalization in the third period to force overtime on Sunday, Marcus Pettersson was strong and calm as a top-four bluelines and large edge Drew O’Connor showed Hustle and Bite.

Fear: Trade JT Miller meant losing the edge in Faceoffs for Puck possession. He is ranked eighth at 58.4 percent efficiency. Canucks got a lift from Chytil that went 9-for-12 on Sunday (76 percent), but he is only 46.5 percent this season. Teddy Blueger is 50.9, Pettersson 45.3 and Pius Suter 43.5 percent.

The top guns: Three-way run in defender scoring continues. If Hughes does not play, his perch on top of the package could be taken over by Makar. He is a behind Canucks’ Captain with 58 points (19-39) and has eight points (6-2) in his last eight games. Zach Werenski from Columbus has 57 points (17-40).

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They wounded: Canucks: Hughes (legs, decision time decision). Avalanche: (Gabriel Landskog, Knee, IR); Oliver Kylington (upper body, IR); Valeri Nichushkin (lower body, day to day); and Scott Wedgewood (upper body, day to day).

The quote: “I thought we checked the game. The new guys played well and a lot of positive tonight. ” – Tocchet on Sunday’s efforts against the wings.

The projected lineup:

DeMusketsson-Boeser

Joshua-Chytil-Garland

O’Connor-Suter-Sherwood

Hoglander-Blueger-Karlsson

Forbort-Hronek

M. Pettersson-Myers

Soucy-Mancini

The prediction: Canucks deserved a better fate on Sunday but need to match and raise this effort. Mage is that they rise to the challenge and intestines a 4-3 victory.

(Fan Forum: Do you have a specific question for a player? Pass it on to @Provinkedports And we’ll get it in a future edition.)

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