The Lotto Line has 18 factors in three video games after being reunited Saturday. And the ageless Sidney Crosby, 36, is on tempo for 45 targets.
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Vancouver Canucks (27-11-1) at Pittsburgh Penguins (20-15-4)
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When/the place: Thursday, 4 p.m., PPG Paints Enviornment
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
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The excitement: Rick Tocchet didn’t know rather a lot about historical past of the “Lotto Line” — a terrific trio that always left the opposition in a defending dilemma — however he appreciates the tempo, presence and manufacturing after placing J.T. Miller between Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser.
The mixture was reunited Saturday in New Jersey. It struck for eight factors. It put up one other eight factors Monday in Madison Sq. Backyard, and added two extra Tuesday on Lengthy Island. It has fuelled a three-game win streak and given an already-confident membership a sense of invincibility.
Tocchet wants steadiness in his line combos, however the head coach additionally wants a dagger, a line that could be a risk to attain on any shift. The chemistry between the trio of understanding who’s going the place and when, has led to Pettersson erupting for eight factors (5-3) for the reason that reunion. He wanted to play with higher gamers, and is taking part in at pace and on instincts.
Canucks Report
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Pettersson and Miller seemed like they had been taking part in pickle-ball Tuesday on the high of the New York Islanders crease throughout a dominant 5-2 victory. It was Pettersson passing to Miller and Miller rapidly passing to Pettersson for the slick Swede’s twentieth aim.
“They’re so opportunistic if there’s a breakdown,” marvelled Tocchet. “Clearly, a hell of a aim from Miller to Petey. They’re dominating. It’s an incredible line.”
Talking of nice, what’s happening with Sidney Crosby?
The ageless Pittsburgh Penguins captain is 36. He has 22 targets and is on tempo for 45, which might be the centre’s most since potting 51 in 2009-10. He was 22. Crosby has at all times been a load to deal with down low, and is now prepared the Penguins to push for the playoffs with a 7-2-1 run of their final 10 video games.
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Final Thursday, they prevailed 6-5 in Boston handy the powerhouse Bruins simply their third loss on residence ice, the fewest within the NHL. Crosby had the profitable aim, however the actual turning level got here Dec. 16 on Hockey Night time in Canada.
The Penguins had been embarrassed 7-0 by the Toronto Maple Leafs. It led to finger-pointing and resolve to by no means repeat the pitiful efficiency. Now, they’re taking part in with grit and profitable battles, as an alternative of letting finesse dictate the day.
“You give them (Leafs) room and also you’re going to pay,” Crosby stated of the bitter loss.
The historical past: First assembly of the season. In 2022-23, the Canucks went 1-1-0 towards the Penguins. They prevailed 5-1 at Rogers Enviornment on Oct. 28 as Bo Horvat struck twice and Spencer Martin made 34 saves. On Jan. 10 at Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin had 4 factors (2-2) as Pittsburgh rallied from a 3-0 deficit.
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The hope: A time off after claiming their very own model of the Triple Crown — highway wins towards the Devils, Rangers and Islanders for the primary time in franchise historical past — has them revved as much as enhance to 4-1 on this seven-game journey.
The worry: Giving Ian Cole a relaxation day Tuesday, and re-inserting Noah Juulsen, doesn’t develop into a distraction of who’s within the lineup and who’s not. Tocchet has eight wholesome defenceman. He doesn’t just like the phrase “rotation”. He wants a deployment plan.
The highest weapons: Heading into league play Wednesday, Miller was sixth total with 55 factors (19-36), Pettersson was eighth with 53 (20-33), and Quinn Hughes was tied for ninth with 51 factors (11-40).
The wounded: Canucks: Guillaume Brisebois (concussion, LTIR). Penguins: John Ludvig (undisclosed, IR), Matt Nieto (decrease physique, IR).
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The quote: “If I broke that line up, I’d most likely get killed in Vancouver.” — Rick Tocchet, joking in regards to the Lotto Line.
The lineup:
Pettersson-Miller-Boeser
Mikheyev-Suter-Kuzmenko
Joshua-Blueger-Garland
Hoglander-Aman-Lafferty
Hughes-Hronek
Soucy-Myers
Zadorov-Cole
Demko
The prediction: The Canucks are highest-scoring group (3.90 per recreation) and have most first-period targets (51). The Pens are twenty fifth with 34. Van takes care of enterprise in 5-2 win.
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