Vancouver Canucks @ Edmonton Oilers – Game Preview And Line Combinations

Vancouver Canucks @ Edmonton Oilers

04 FEB 2013 – 7:30 MST

TV:  Sportsnet West

PROJECTED LINES

F

Taylor Hall / Ryan Nugent-Hopkins / Jordan Eberle

Nail Yakupov / Sam Gagner / Ales Hemsky

Ryan Smyth / Shawn Horcoff / Lennart Petrell

Teemu Hartikainen / Anton Lander / Magnus Paajarvi

D

Nick Schultz / Justin Schultz

Ladislav Smid / Jeff Petry

  Mark Fistric / Corey Potter

G

Devan Dubnyk

Nikolai Khabibulin

Some things to cover.

Edler leads the Canucks in scoring. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

• LINE CHANGES – Eric Belanger (foot) was placed on IR yesterday after getting blasted with the puck in Saturday’s game, while Magnus Paajarvi was called up. Paajarvi will  likely be slotted on the fourth line.  Shawn Horcoff (neck) was questionable for the Avalanche game on Saturday, and based on what I’ve seen, he should good to go tonight.  Ryan Whitney was reported to be skating on the extra pair with Peckham during practice, and will likely sit out while Corey Potter will be on the bottom pair.
• Alexander Edler is leading Vancouver in scoring with 7 points (3-4-7) in eight games.
• The Oilers have had issues in allowing too many shots.  They allowed 40 against Colorado, 38 versus San Jose, a relatively healthy 28 against Phoenix, and 38 against Colorado last Saturday.  With the exception of the Phoenix game, that’s entirely too many shots to be relying on your goaltender.  As well as Dubnyk has been playing, I can’t say as I’m thrilled about signing up to allow 35+ shots to Vancouver.  Oilers scorers will need to catch fire if this trend is to continue.
• Devan Dubnyk is slated to get the nod for his ninth consecutive start.  How’s he doing so far?  Welp, he’s got a sterling .925 SV% and a 2.53 GAA.  It’s been only eight games, but I’m feeling pretty good about Devan Dubnyk.  Roberto Luongo will get the nod for the Canucks.  Luongo’s numbers have been outstanding with a .944 SV% and a 1.46 GAA in four games.

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