New Years Lightning Strike; Bolts/Canucks Game Preview

Happy New Year!  What an exciting 2013 it was for the Vancouver Canucks.  Sure, there was no Stanley Cup hoisting.  The Canucks are a team in a bit of a transition phase.  2013 brought a coaching change, an end to a two year goalie controversy, and of course some new faces.

It is time for the Canucks to kick of 2014 as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning.  This game is being shadowed because the spotlight today was in the Big House for the 2014 NHL Winter Classic.  Tonight's matchup with the Lightning is game #42 for the Canucks.  It is hard to believe the season is half way done.

Vancouver Canucks: 41 GP: 23-11-7; 53 pts
Tampa Bay Lightning: 39 GP: 23-12-4; 50 pts

This is the second game of a two game homestand for Vancouver.  They lost their last game 4-3 in a shootout against the Philadelphia Flyers.  The Canucks are ranked fourth in the Pacific Division and sixth in the Western Conference.  The Canucks have posted a solid 7-1-2 record in their last ten contests.

The Lightning begin a three game Western Canada road swing in Vancouver.  They also lost their last game at home against the New York Rangers 4-3.  Tampa Bay is ranked second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference.  The Lightning have recorded a 6-2-2 record in their last ten contests.

This game can be viewed on TSN or SUN Sports at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT.

Here are the projected lineups:

Lightning (the bad guys)

Forwards:
Ryan Malone - Tyler Johnson - Martin St. Louis
Teddy Purcell - Valtteri Filppula - Alex Killorn
Ondrej Palat - Nate Thompson - Nikita Kucherov
J.T. Brown - B.J. Crombeen - Richard Panik

Defensemen:
Matthew Carle - Victor Hedman
Eric Brewer - Radko Gudas
Mark Barberio - Andrej Sustr

Goaltenders:
Ben Bishop (starter)
Anders Lindback

Canucks (the good guys)

Forwards:
Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Jannik Hansen
Chris Higgins - Ryan Kesler - Mike Santorelli
David Booth - Brad Richardson - Zack Kassian
Tom Sestito - Zac Dalpe - Dale Weise

Defensemen:
Jason Garrison - Kevin Bieksa
Dan Hamhuis - Christopher Tanev
Frank Corrado - Yannick Weber

Goaltenders:
Eddie Lack (starter)
Joacim Eriksson

Things to watch for - Lightning:

Martin St. Louis - the Captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning is an ageless wonder.  St. Louis is 38 years young, but plays like hes 28.  He signed with Tampa as an undrafted free agent back in 2000.  He has 17 goals and 38 points in 39 games.  He has 950 points in 1,018 games in the NHL.  Future hall of famer?  I think it is a safe bet.

Ben Bishop - the Denver native has officially established himself as the Lightning's number one goaltender.  All 6'7" of his frame takes up the whole net.  He has played 29 games this season posting a 20-5-6 record with a stout 1.89 GAA and .935 SV%.  He is very good and probably should have made the US Olympic team.

Things to watch for - Canucks:

Eddie Lack - do not look now, but the Canucks have another great backup goaltender.  Eddie Lack fell short in his last game in the shootout (with no goal support).  He had a strong game and has had a tremendous season.  He has played in 13 games and has recorded a 1.84 GAA and a .929 SV%.  He has filled in admirably while Luongo remains day to day with a groin injury.

Jannik Hansen - the 27 year old Great Dane has found his scoring stride.  He has two goals in his last two outings.  He is averaging a little over 15-17 minutes per night and is trying his best playing with the Sedins.  I do not believe this is something that needs to stick.  Hansen's best role is when he is on the third line in a checking role.

Prediction:
4-2 Lightning (St. Louis GWG)

Until next time, stay classy! Happy New Year! -George