Canucks return home to face the Rangers
Posted December 13, 2014 1:38 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Vancouver Canucks kick off a four game pre-Christmas home stand Saturday against the New York Rangers. (7pm, CBC)
Vancouver comes into Saturday’s game struggling, having dropped three games in a row. Granted, those three losses came at the end of a two week, seven game journey out east.
“It’s been awhile. The first game back is usually pretty tough mentally. We all know what the Rangers are going to bring tonight, so we have to be ready.” Daniel Sedin said following the morning skate.
“I think they’re (the Rangers) very good defensively. They have firepower up front, too. We’re going to have to be ready to play our game – high tempo, rolling our lines, and trying to tire them out. That’s the way we’ve won games.” Daniel added.
Speaking of tired, Canuck winger Derek Dorsett could be facing some nights with uneven sleep – he and his wife welcomed son Dylan into the world Friday afternoon.
“I got to the rink in the morning (Friday). My wife called and said it was time to get to the hospital. Around 3:30, we welcomed him to the world.”
Dorsett noted he got a decent nights sleep on Friday. He’ll also have a different linemate – Chris Higgins has been moved to Dorsett’s line, along with Bo Horvat. Jannik Hansen will play with the Sedins, while Radim Vrbata will get time with Nick Bonino and Alex Burrows.
Bonino hasn’t scored in fourteen games, and the 2nd power play unit of Burrows, Bonino, and Higgins hasn’t cashed in since opening night.
The Rangers sit fourth in the Metro division, and have played .500 hockey the last ten games. Rick Nash is a bright spot for New York this season. His 18 goals have him behind only Dallas’ Tyler Seguin for the league lead. Henrik Lundqvist leads the NHL in shutouts with four – his opponent tonight, Ryan Miller sits just behind him, with three on the season.
