Here We Go
Canucks gameday links: NWSB Matchup Insight | NWSB Preview + Prediction
The Vancouver Canucks open a seven-game road trip tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers after jumping out to a .500 record over their first six starts. The Flyers on the other hand have had a brutal start to the season losing head coach Peter Laviolette after only three straight losses to start the year.
Now under the leadership of head coach Craig Berube the Flyers are looking for only their second win of the season tonight opposite the Canucks.
Below are five things to look for during tonight’s battle in the City of Brotherly Love.
Road Ready
After a pair of tough home losses the Eastern road trip comes at a perfect time for the Vancouver Canucks. According to head coach John Tortorella the team has yet to find its identity, and the road trip gives the Canucks a solid opportunity to find their way beginning tonight against the struggling Flyers.
Jordan Schroeder will play tonight.
Sestito A Spark?
Tom Sestito has been used sparingly by the Canucks so far this season but could see a jump in ice time tonight against his former team in Philadelphia.
Tough guys Zac Rinaldo and Jay Rosehill are expected to play in tonight’s contest and both would certainly be willing to drop the gloves with the Flyers’ former enforcer.
While sideshow fights aren’t my thing, the Canucks will certainly have the upper hand against any line combination involving both Rosehill and Rinaldo.
If anything, I feel sorry for Adam Hall.
Schroeder Sighting
Jordan Schroeder is expected to start tonight’s game in place of poor Zac Dalpe, who has barely seen any ice time at all as Vancouver’s fourth line center.
While it remains unclear just where Schroeder will start tonight’s game his offensive ability should give the Canucks an advantage if the fourth lines are to go head-to-head tonight.
As I mentioned above, two knuckle-draggers are worse than one. Look for Schroeder to shine anytime he is out against the trio of Rosehill, Hall, and Rinaldo tonight.
Sounds like Schroeder will centre third line while Richardson drops to 4th. #canucks
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) October 15, 2013
Growing Pains
Both the Canucks and Flyers are still adapting to new systems under new head coaches, however the visitors should have the upper hand tonight against Craig Berube’s Flyers who have played only three games under their new bench boss.
While the switch to Berube shouldn’t involve monumental changes on the ice, any team will have a tough time adapting to a new coach on the fly.
The Canucks need to take advantage of a disorganized group tonight in Philadelphia.
Special Teams
The Broad Street Bullies have always enjoyed a healthy number of minutes in the penalty box, but this season the Flyers have managed to lead the NHL in both power play and penalty kill time through six games.
While aggression is a key part of John Tortorella’s coaching philosophy the Canucks will need to pick their spots tonight against a team that obviously enjoys the extra-curricular activities on the ice.
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