The Vancouver Canucks are set to face off against the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday night at the Delta Center, as both teams vie for valuable points in the Western Conference playoff race. After recent back-to-back losses, the Canucks (26-19-11) are hoping to rebound against the struggling Utah side (24-24-9), who also faced defeat the previous night.
The matchup kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and can be watched on ESPN+. This meeting marks the second of three encounters between the two clubs this season, with Utah winning the first contest 3-2 back on December 18, utilizing their home-ice advantage.
Vancouver is coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. The defeat marked the continuation of some offensive challenges for the Canucks, who have only managed 36 goals over their last 17 games. Coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged the uphill battle, especially with prominent player Quinn Hughes nursing an oblique strain and out of the lineup once again.
Utah enters this game on the heels of their own setback, having lost 5-3 to the LA Kings on the same day. The team's defense has been shaky recently, allowing 16 goals across their last three outings, averaging 5.3 goals against per game, raising questions about their ability to stop the Canucks' offense.
The Canucks made one notable change for this matchup: Victor Mancini is set to make his debut with the team. The 22-year-old was recently acquired amid the swap involving J.T. Miller and is poised to add depth to Vancouver's blue line. Tocchet highlighted Mancini's potential, stating, "Big kid, has a bomb of a shot, moves the puck well and skates." Supporters will be eager to see how his inclusion can impact the Canucks' performance.
While the focus is on Mancini, the Canucks will look to other offensive contributors to step up as well. Jake DeBrusk has scored three goals over the last six games and could be a key player to watch in this contest. DeBrusk's ability to capitalize on power-play opportunities could shift the balance, especially with Utah's defense ranking near the bottom of the league.
Utah is also optimistic about their scoring capabilities, led by Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton. Given their home advantage and recent offensive output, they might hold the edge against Vancouver's faltering lineup.
Betting odds reflect the current standing, with the Canucks opening as underdogs at +125 and Utah at -150. The total goals over/under is set at 5.5, with predictions leaning toward the under, reflecting both teams' current scoring woes.
The goaltending matchup features Arturs Silovs for the Canucks, who is stepping back after some time down at the AHL level. Silovs, who holds a 1-4-1 record so far this season, is stepping up at an imperative time due to Thatcher Demko’s absence. Utah’s Karel Vejmelka is anticipated to take the net, coming off performances where he has struggled, including allowing six goals during his last start.
The stakes are particularly high for the Canucks. Sitting just three points above the Calgary Flames, holding onto their wild-card spot is no small feat. Coach Tocchet has implied urgency without their captain, remarking, "I’m not a big fan of playing a guy (back to back) when he’s had a big workload," hinting at the fatigue both sides may face.
This face-off may also have long-term ramifications on playoff positioning as both teams aim to recover from their weekend losses. With the decisive nature of the playoff race and the struggles both teams have faced, expect this showdown to be intense.
Given the history and the persistent playoff battle, prediction lines forecast close skirmishes going either way. Many analysts are predicting Utah will clinch this home contest, possibly overcoming the Canucks 4-2 or 3-2, taking advantage of their familiarity with the Delta Center. The absence of key players and recent performances could foreseeably tilt the scales against Vancouver.
With only several matches remaining to solidify standings, the urgency remains palpable. Both squads need to capitalize on opportunities to stand out and aim for more than just mediocrity as the season draws to its climax.