The Vancouver Canucks begin their 7 game road swing in Philadelphia, PA, a city that is known to many moments in sports history. The 3-3 Canucks will be playing a desperate 1-5 Flyers squad who has recently fired their head coach to try and shake up the locker room atmosphere. Philadelphia will be missing new acquisition and Ex Tampa Captain Vincent Lecavalier and feisty forward Scott Hartnell, while Jordan Schroeder will make his Canucks season debut for the Canucks. Canucks defensemen Alex Edler will still be serving his three game suspension and will remain out of the Canucks lineup.
Between the pipes for both sides - Steve Mason will be called upon to play in net for the Flyers, while Roberto Luongo gets the start for the Canucks.
This game can be seen on CSN Philadelphia and Sportsnet Pacific at 7 PM ET/4 PT.
Here are the projected lineups:
Canucks (the good guys):
Forwards:
Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Mike Santorelli
Chris Higgins - Ryan Kesler - Jannik Hansen
David Booth - Brad Richardson - Zack Kassian
Tom Sestito - Jordan Schroeder - Dale Weise
Defensemen:
Jason Garrison - Kevin Bieksa
Dan Hamhuis - Christopher Tanev
Ryan Stanton - Yannick Weber
Goaltenders:
Roberto Luongo (starter)
Eddie Lack
Flyers (the bad guys):
Forwards:
Matt Read - Claude Giroux - Jakub Voracek
Sean Couturier - Brayden Schenn - Wayne Simmonds
Michael Raffl - Maxime Talbot - Tye McGinn
Kris Newbury - Zac Rinaldo - Adam Hall
Defensemen:
Kimmo Timonen - Braydon Coburn
Nicklas Grossmann - Mark Streit
Erik Gustafsson - Luke Schenn
Goaltenders:
Steve Mason (starter)
Ray Emery
Things to watch for - Canucks:
Jordan Schroeder - the 2009 First Round Pick of the Canucks is set to make his season debut for the Canucks tonight. He has been rehabbing from a leg injury which he suffered in the preseason. He will bring some speed to the Canucks 4th line, and he may get a look on the third line too. He has a nose for the net even though he has a very small frame.
Dan Hamhuis - let's just say he has not played well to start the season. He has been a liability on the ice and has been missing lots of assignments. He was spotted getting some treatment from the Canucks trainers after the last game against the Habs. Is he 100% healthy? Canucks fans can hope, but I am not sure what his issue is right now.
Mike Santorelli - the Canucks unsung hero for the past several games. He might be one of the biggest free agent steals of this summer. He has been playing in a role which may not be the best for him long term, but he has performed admirably while doing it.
Things to watch for - Flyers:
Claude Giroux - the Flyers Captain and leading goal scorer. He is a threat every time he touches the puck. He is not overly big or powerful, but is tremendously skilled and has some wheels. The Canucks defense has to skate well tonight and not give him any easy chances at the net.
Wayne Simmonds - I like his game. He plays big and can play in all situations. The Canucks could use a guy like him on the 2nd line. He is a force around the net and makes a goaltender's life a living hell.
Steve Mason - Canucks fans might remember him from his Columbus days. He was acquired by the Flyers in exchange for Michael Leighton and a 2015 third round pick. Mason has a 2.03 GAA and .935 save percent on the season.
Prediction:
5-2 Flyers Win (Giroux GWG)
Until next time, stay classy! -George
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