The Vancouver Canucks are in Winnipeg to take on the Jets for a 2 PM local time start. Note that the game will begin at NOON if you’re on Pacific time.
Now, this game could go one of two ways, as most of this team’s do.
The Canucks will either come out and follow up their solid effort against the Colorado Avalanche by doing it again, or they’ll come out flat footed and get blown out by the Jets. It’s not likely to be a close game, is what we’re getting at.
The Canucks seem to be a team that needs some sort of motivation to show up, and are often unable to create that motivation from within.
The team didn’t hold a morning skate today, but there line rushes, courtesy of Sportsnet’s Brendan Batchelor, suggest that the Canucks won’t change a thing about the lineup that led them to victory against Colorado on Thursday.
And that includes starting goaltender Collin Delia, according to Postmedia’s Patrick Johnston.
“He’s had a couple of good games in a row and he played here last weekend so he got to see their shooters a little bit,” head coach Bruce Boudreau explained to Johnston. “He allowed three goals, but let’s face it, they were a penalty shot and two powerplay goals. He played well. He’s earned this spot.”
It’s true. Collin Delia has been great for the Canucks every time they’ve called upon him. Through four games played this season, Delia is rocking a save percentage of .925, and a goals against average of 2.42.
He’s indeed earned this start, and after making 35 saves on 38 shots the last time these two teams faced off on December 29th, it’ll be interesting to see if Boudreau’s theory proves correct and if Delia can walk away with a W next to his name today.
Again, we repeat: Puck drop is at 12 PM Pacific today!
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