For the second time this season, the Vancouver Canucks (7-3-3) welcome to Calgary Flames (8-5-3) to Rogers Arena. The last time these two teams met was during Vancouver’s home opener when Calgary pulled off a third-period comeback and beat the Canucks 6-5 in overtime. While the official lineups have yet to be released, Tuesday is expected to be a big game for Vancouver as 2022 first-round pick Jonathan Lekkerimäki is projected to make his NHL debut.
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The timing of this game could not have come at a better time for the Canucks, as they will be facing a tired Flames team that played the night before. Tonight’s matchup will actually be Calgary’s fifth in eight nights, with every game being played in a different arena. If Vancouver can forecheck hard and limit rush opportunities against, they may be able to take advantage of a Flames team that should have heavy legs come the third period.
Players to Watch:
Jonathan Lekkerimäki:
Barring any changes, Lekkerimäki will have a fantastic opportunity to produce in his NHL debut. He is projected to play on a line with J.T. Miller and Pius Suter and could see some time on the second power play unit. With five goals and 39 shots in seven AHL games this season, Lekkerimäki could be in store for a big night against Calgary.
Mikael Backlund:
Like he has been for most of his career, Mikael Backlund remains a dangerous threat whenever on the ice. The 35-year-old has goals in each of his last two games and sits third on the team in shots with 38. With nine takeaways on the season, the Canucks must be careful when he is on the ice, as a turnover could easily end up in the back of the net.
Vancouver Canucks Projected Lineup:
Suter-Miller-Lekkerimäki
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Garland
Heinen-Blueger-Sherwood
Åman-Räty-Höglander
Hughes-Hronek
Soucy-Myers
Brännström-Desharnais
Šilovs
Lankinen
Top 5 Scoring Leaders (Goals, Assists, Points):
Vancouver Canucks (7-3-3):
Quinn Hughes: 3-12-15
Brock Boeser: 6-5-11
J.T. Miller: 5-6-11
Conor Garland: 4-7-11
Jake DeBrusk: 3-5-8
Calgary Flames (8-5-3):
Rasmus Andersson: 4-7-11
Jonathan Huberdeau: 6-4-10
Mikael Backlund: 4-5-9
Andrei Kuzmenko: 1-8-9
Nazem Kadri: 5-3-8
Game Information:
Start Time: 7:00…