Vancouver Canucks: Week 7 Preview, Predictions
Nov 13, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher (51) scores against Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen (32) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Vancouver Canucks start Week 7 with a three-day break, before embarking on a three-game Western Conference road trip.
After a disastrous road trip, the Vancouver Canucks went 2-1-1 on their Week 6 home stand.
Life is not all roses, as they suffered a 7-2 blowout to the New York Rangers and gave up a 3-0 lead to lose the the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime.
Yet, there still some good signs. The Canucks finished above .500 for the week, and appear to have put their lengthy losing streak behind them. Even better, they managed 13 goals in four games. That works out to 3.25 goals-per-game, which would put them at 3rd in the NHL if they continued that over a full season.
At the same time, they also surrendered 17 goals. True, that number is skewed by the Rangers running up the score. But even excluding that game, they gave up 3.33 goals-per-game in the other three — which is more than their goals-for average for the week.
It’s a good bet that both those numbers will fall. If the team had a choice, though, they might choose to continue giving up a lot of goals while also scoring a lot, because that at least had yielded better results.
During their losing streak, they gave up very little but managed nothing offensively. At least in the wide open games they’ve come away with more points than they’ve given up.
Nothing sucks fan interest away from the team quicker than losing boring hockey games. High-scoring games which Vancouver has a chance of winning are a much easier sell.
Let’s preview the games for next week.
Nov 17, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Arizona Coyotes goaltender Louis Domingue (35) makes a save against Vancouver Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows (14) during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Wednesday, Nov. 23: Canucks @ Arizona Coyotes
The Canucks will face the Arizona Coyotes for the second time in six days on Wednesday.
In their game last week, Vancouver pulled out yet another comeback win. They did not wait until the third period, though. Instead they scored two goals to tie in the second, before winning the game in overtime.
Although they won their next game, the Coyotes are still struggling in the standings. They sit tied for last place with the New York Islanders.
This morning, the Coyotes sent center Dylan Strome back to junior. He played seven games for Arizona this season, managing one assist.
Predictions:
Janik Beichler:
VancouverCanucks4
Because f— the rules.
Alex Hoegler:
VancouverCanucks4
Because the Coyotes are just a lot worse at hockey right now!
Gerald Morton:
VancouverCanucks2
Oliver Ekman-Larsson scores all the goals, and assists on both Canuck’s tallies just to show fans what an offensive defenseman actually looks like.
Jeff Godley:
VancouverCanucks3
The Canucks will squeeze out another 3-2 win versus the Coyotes. This time, they will score first, and keep the lead throughout the game.
Nov 13, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton (27) checks Dallas Stars forward Justin Dowling (37) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Friday, Nov. 25: Canucks @ Dallas Stars
Another rematch from the week prior.
The Canucks and Dallas Stars combined for nine goals, and Vancouver overcame deficits of 3-1 and 4-3 to tie the game. They finally won in overtime on a shot from Markus Granlund off the faceoff.
Dallas has been ravaged by injuries this year. Patrick Sharp and Jason Spezza have both returned to their lineup, but the Stars have now lost Johnny Oduya for the time being.
With the return of two of their top-six forwards, the Stars have even more firepower than they did the last time they faced Vancouver.
But Dallas’ biggest problem is preventing goals, and they’ve lost a top-four defenseman in Oduya.
Can the Stars outscore their issues on the blueline and in goal?
Predictions:
Janik:
VancouverCanucks4
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? MY OH MY!
Alex:
VancouverCanucks3
Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn skate circles around this slow team.
Gerald:
VancouverCanucks0
If I forget to start Lehtonen in one of my fantasy leagues, that is. Otherwise, a 6-0 win for the Canucks.
Jeff:
VancouverCanucks3
Vancouver won’t be able to make it two-in-a-row against Dallas. The Stars will surrender three goals but will overpower the Canucks and win comfortably.
Mar 16, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Colorado Avalanche forward Cody McLeod (55) checks Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Tryamkin (88) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Colorado Avalanche won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday, Nov. 26: Canucks @ Colorado Avalanche
This is the first meeting of the year between these two teams.
More from The Canuck Way
After Patrick Roy stepped down as Colorado Avalanche head coach in the summer, the team promoted their AHL coach to the NHL job. So far, Jared Bednar has guided his new team to a middling 8-9-0 record, putting them last in the powerful Central Division.
The Avalanche are having similar goal-scoring problems to Vancouver. They sit second-last in goals-for, with just 36 heading into their Monday game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Nathan MacKinnon leads the Avs with 12 points in 17 games. Captain Gabriel Landeskog, the subject of frequent trade rumors, has eight points, while veteran Jarome Iginla has managed only four.
Predictions:
Janik:
VancouverCanucks3
Hey guys! The Canucks are back on playoff course. I think.
Alex:
VancouverCanucks4
Because the Avs are also bad.
Gerald:
VancouverCanucks4
Because they have Iggy playing on the fourth line. He should be, but that is just bad karma. Iginla might be the last of the perfect hockey players. LONG LIVE IGGY!!
Jeff:
VancouverCanucks2
Two offensively-challenged teams meet.
The Vancouver Canucks will prevail in a boring game. The Avs will manage fewer than 20 shots and either Ryan Miller or Jacob Markstrom will earn the easiest shutout of their career.
This article originally appeared on 
