Canucks Return to Action for Saturday Afternoon Showdown on Home Ice
After a brief holiday break, the Vancouver Canucks are ready to hit the ice once again with a Saturday afternoon game against the Seattle Kraken. The game, set for a 1:00 p.m. puck drop, marks the first of two meetings between these Pacific Division rivals this season. The Canucks are entering this matchup following a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on December 23rd, while the Kraken are looking to bounce back after a rough holiday stretch, having lost five straight games.
The Kraken, with a 15-19-2 record, have struggled to find offensive consistency, failing to score more than two goals in each of their last five outings. They’ve been averaging just 2.78 goals per game this season, ranking 23rd in the league. On the other hand, the Canucks are coming off a solid performance, and this game will be the final one of their three-game homestand before they hit the road to face the Calgary Flames on New Year’s Eve and the Kraken again in Seattle on January 2nd.
Also Read:- Rams vs. Cardinals: Week 17 Showdown for Playoff Glory at SoFi Stadium
- Squid Game Season 2: Shocking Twists and the Revelation of Player 001
One of the key areas to watch in this game is Seattle's special teams, which have been fairly average this season. Their power play ranks 21st in the league with an 18.5% success rate, while their penalty kill sits at 15th with an 80% kill rate. Forward Jared McCann leads the Kraken with 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists), with 22 of those points coming at even strength. Meanwhile, Shane Wright is the team’s most effective power-play threat with four power-play goals to his name. In addition, defensemen Tye Kartye and Eeli Tolvanen have been physical presences on the ice, each accumulating over 100 hits this season.
The Canucks will have to manage without two of their key players—Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson—who are both sidelined due to undisclosed injuries. Hughes, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, leads the Canucks with 42 points this season, and Pettersson had recently broken a seven-game goal-scoring drought with a two-goal performance against the Sharks. With their absence, defenseman Carson Soucy and veteran Tyler Myers will likely see extended ice time in an effort to fill the void.
Despite these setbacks, the Canucks are focused on executing with precision and consistency as they return to the ice after the break. Head coach Rick Tocchet noted that the players were eager to get back into their routine, as hockey players thrive on structure. This game against the Kraken is crucial for the Canucks, especially as they aim to build momentum heading into a tough stretch of games.
With Brock Boeser continuing his strong form, scoring five goals in his last three games, the Canucks are hoping to continue their recent offensive output. The game promises to be an exciting matchup, and with a 1:00 p.m. start, fans can catch the action on Sportsnet or listen along on the radio with Brendan Batchelor on Sportsnet 650. As the Canucks look to build on their momentum, this afternoon contest will be an important test before they hit the road for their next challenges.
Read More:
0 Comments