GDT: GM 12 | Vancouver Canucks @ Los Angeles Kings | 7:30PM PST | SPAC

[Chairman Maouth]

 

[EpochLink]

I miss George W Bush, for real

 

[Shareefruck]

I feel like it's always been widely known that DeBrusk is a better fit with Miller than Pettersson, but that Pettersson just has greater need for him as a winger.

But yeah, the third line emerging really does us a lot of favors.

Honestly, and this might be unpopular, but if god forbid, Pettersson's disappearing act continues deep into the season, I would even be tempted to try this at points:

DeBrusk - Miller - Boeser
Joshua - Suter - Garland
Heinen - Blueger - Sherwood
Hoglander - Pettersson - Sprong/Raty/Lekkerimaki (ultra soft minutes)

If that top line is going to be put together, you really need them to be dominant, though.

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

Looks like the Boeser, Miller and Debrusk line will be stapled together for the immediate future. So much for Debrusk being a 'natural partner' on the Pettersson line.

But that line with Miller in the middle has some real short-term potential imo......although it remains to be seen how putting three 'shooters' on the same line will work out in the long run.

I called that a few games ago - those three make complete sense being paired together. DeBrusk adds a chippiness/speed element to Miller and Boeser.

Pettersson is just an extremely difficult player to find any sort of chemistry with at the moment.

 

[Vector]

Tonight's Game:
-both teams are trying to climb the ladder
-division games make you concentrate more
-get on the forecheck early; connected as group when their forecheck is on
-to gap up, need to have the F3 (third man) higher

DeBrusk:
-holding on to pucks and winning battles
-there's some new system stuff for him and new linemates
-when you play with Miller, simplify your game and stay close to him
-thought he was getting too far away from Miller

Kings:
-have changed their neutral zone team game
-look quicker with their new system
-transitional game is faster

Line-Up Changes:
-same line-up as last game

Desharnais:
-thinks he has really worked hard the last two weeks
-wants to learn and get better
-good attitude
-goes out 20 minutes early and stays 30 minutes late

 

[VanJack]

Canucks knew when they signed Desharnais that he would likely be 'a project'. So not surprised to hear that he'd been a demon in practice trying to improve.

After all, it's that determination to improve and do whatever it takes that got him to the NHL in the first place as a 7th round draft pick. And he's a late-bloomer who will probably really benefit working with Foote and Gonchar.

Tocchet really seems to have a soft spot in his heart for guys who put in the maximum effort and basically will themselves into the NHL. I really think for that reason, Desharnais has more to give.

I think the Canucks have another one in Sherwood. So many ups and downs, trips to the minors and crushing disappointments after being shipped out at the end of another training. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger I guess. Hard to not pull hard for these kind of guys.

 

[HairyKneel]

Canucks end their California holiday, I wonder if they voted considering California doesn't required any ID, .

A really easy road trip with loads of time between games.

LA will be a better test this week though.

IF Joshua is in the lineup I figure his ice time will be rationed.

Right now the teams seems to be missing the 2nd line, the bottom six is definitely holding their own.

The players were probably pretty stoked to see this trip once the schedule was released. A week in California with three games and warm weather against some pretty scabby teams. Meanwhile it's been a slog up here with wind and rain and power outages. Pound the Kings tonight and make this a great trip and start to get some traction on home ice.

 

[supercanuck]

I called that a few games ago - those three make complete sense being paired together. DeBrusk adds a chippiness/speed element to Miller and Boeser.

Pettersson is just an extremely difficult player to find any sort of chemistry with at the moment.

Really wish they could have made Kuz work. The way that entire 22-23 first line has imploded is crazy.

 

[wonton15]

Really wish they could have made Kuz work. The way that entire 22-23 first line has imploded is crazy.

Kuzmenko and Pettersson think the offensive game in a very similar outside the box way — we haven’t seen that with Pettersson and anyone else yet. It was Sedin-like at times. Too bad he’s like worse than Sprong at anything else.