Canucks Sport Day: Andrei Kuzmenko again on the new seat with Maple Leafs on the town

Article content material

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Vancouver Canucks (28-11-3)

Article content material

When and the place: Saturday, 4 p.m., Rogers Area

Article content material

TV: Hockey Night time in Canada. Radio: Sportsnet 650

The thrill: The Canucks known as up Linus Karlsson on Friday. Odds appear good the hustling winger will probably be within the lineup for Andrei Kuzmenko on Saturday. The Russian had some good moments Thursday however a few boneheaded performs — lacking overlaying Coyote Travis Dermott who then scored a purpose, and in addition a horrible giveaway in his personal zone — led to his benching.

• The Canucks battled previous a plucky Arizona staff on Thursday to win 2-1, however they know they are often higher.

• The Leafs are available in hoping to have put an unpleasant four-game shedding streak behind them after successful Thursday in Calgary. Auston Matthews is on tempo to attain greater than 70 targets, however the Buds’ issues lie elsewhere, on the blue line and notably in purpose.

Article content material

Article content material

The historical past: The Leafs beat up on the Canucks 5-2 on Remembrance Day, one of many weaker performances of the season for Vancouver.

The hope: The Canucks have been led of late by the Lotto Line. Elias Pettersson scored an electrical purpose on a one-timer versus Arizona, a shot he agreed Friday was in all probability his better of the season.

The worry: Matthews had a hat trick in Calgary. He’s the league’s finest scorer. He can dominate a recreation all on his personal.

The highest weapons: Matthews now has 37 targets. Brock Boeser leads the Canucks with 27 targets. J.T. Miller is tied for fourth within the NHL in scoring with 61 factors. Pettersson has 59 factors, tied for sixth within the league.

The wounded: Canucks: Phil Di Giuseppe (undisclosed, IR) and Guillaume Brisebois (concussion, LTIR). Maple Leafs: Joseph Woll (high-ankle sprain, week to week), John Klingberg (hip, out for season), Matt Murray (hip, month to month), Ryan Reaves (lower-body, IR)

Article content material

The quote: “I’m not making an attempt to make him a Selke winner. I feel there’s sure elements of your recreation you need to be there for us. You realize, clearly, when you’re scoring targets, typically a coach can overlook a couple of little errors.” — Rick Tocchet on Kuzmenko’s struggles. The winger hasn’t scored since earlier than Christmas.

The lineup:

Forwards

Pettersson-Miller-Boeser

Mikheyev-Suter-Lafferty

Joshua-Blueger-Garland

Höglander-Åman-Karlsson

Defence

Hughes-Hronek

Zadorov-Cole

Soucy-Myers

Goalie

Thatcher Demko

The prediction: This one seems like targets galore: let’s go along with 5-4 Vancouver.

(FAN FORUM: Do you may have a particular query for a participant? Move it alongside to @provincesports and we’ll get it in a future version.)

Article content material

[email protected]

twitter.com/risingaction

Bookmark our web site and assist our journalism: Don’t miss the information you have to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and join our newsletters right here.

It’s also possible to assist our journalism by turning into a digital subscriber: For simply $14 a month, you will get limitless, ad-lite entry to The Vancouver Solar, The Province, Nationwide Publish and 13 different Canadian information websites. Help us by subscribing immediately: The Vancouver Solar | The Province.

Article content material