Game Notes: Canucks vs. Wild

The Canucks face off against the Minnesota Wild for their third of three matchups this season. The Canucks are 1-1-0 against Minnesota heading in to the 2018.19 season series finale.
Vancouver is 3-2-0 in the last five games against Minnesota (6-4-0 in the last 10 games).
Tonight marks the fourth game of a five game homestand that also sees a visit from Nashville (Dec. 6).

MORNING SKATE UPDATE:

The Canucks held an optional morning skate Tuesday, featuring number 17, Josh Leivo. The 25-year-old forward, acquired Monday from Toronto, arrived in Vancouver late last night and was one of the first players on the ice this morning. Post-skate, Leivo said he's excited for a fresh start and is looking to take full advantage of a potential top-six role. He'll make his Canucks debut tonight.

Jay Beagle also took part in skate and declared himself good to go for tonight vs. Minnesota. Coach Green is hoping he can play tonight, same with Erik Gudbranson. Derrick Pouliot will not play, same with Nikolay Goldobin. "He needs a reset. He'll be back in the line-up, but he needs to improve in some areas."
Anders Nilsson starts.

LAST MEETING - NOV. 15/18: VAN 2 at MIN 6

Bo Horvat collected a power play goal at 6:26 in the second period to get the Canucks on the board...Markus Granlund notched his 4th goal of the season and led the Canucks in shots (6)...Adam Gaudette, Darren Archibald and Troy Stecher each earned assists...Richard Bachman faced 29 shots.

VERSUS WILD TIDBITS:

• Markus Granlund (2-0-2), Elias Pettersson (2-0-2) and Bo Horvat (1-1-2) share the team lead for most points against Minnesota this season.
• Loui Eriksson has registered 36 career points (16-20-36) in 38 games against the Wild.
• Alex Edler has collected 22 points (4-18-22) in 44 games versus Minnesota.
• Sven Baertschi collected his first career goal, Mar. 11/12 at MIN and appeared in his 200th career game, Mar. 25/17 at MIN.
• Alex Biega made his NHL debut and notched his first career goal against the Wild on Feb. 16/15 vs MIN.
• Minnesota native Brock Boeser also appeared in his first NHL game against Minnesota and collected his first NHL goal, Mar. 25/17 at MIN.
• Loui Eriksson scored his 200th career goal, Feb. 13/16 at MIN.
• Markus Granlund, brother of Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund, collected his first career assist against MIN, Oct. 3/14.
• Bo Horvat appeared in his 100th NHL game, Dec. 15/15 at MIN.

LAST GAME - DEC. 1/18: VAN 1 vs DAL 2

Bo Horvat opened the scoring at 15:18 in the first period...Tyler Motte and Antoine Roussel each collected an assist...Sam Gagner led the team in shots (5)...Alex Biega and Michael Del Zotto each registered five hits...Anders Nilsson faced 27 shots.

THE ROOKIE

Elias Pettersson leads all rookies in goals (13), points (22), power-play points (8) and shooting percentage (26.5%; min. 10 GP). He also shares the rookie lead in power-play goals (4) and ranks second in points per game (0.96; min 10 GP) and tied for third in assists (9).
Pettersson was named the NHL's second star of the week ending November 4th. He shared the League lead with four goals and ranked third overall with seven points in three games to also help lead the Canucks to a perfect week.
Pettersson, who led all rookies with seven goals and 10 points in eight games (7-3-10) in October, was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for October.

FACE THE FACTS

Bo Horvat ranks first in the NHL in face-off wins (404), first in even-strength face-off wins (324) and first in face-offs taken (738). He also ranks t-4th in PP face-off wins (51).
Horvat tied a season-high 23 face-off wins (the third time this season) on Nov. 19 vs MTL and had 40 total face-offs on Nov. 6 at DET

THE GOING RATE

• Elias Pettersson has five points (3-2-5) over the past eight games
• Bo Horvat has seven points (2-5-7) over the past seven games
• Tyler Motte has four points (2-2-4) over the past eight games
• Nikolay Goldobin has six points (2-4-6) over the past eight games
• Sam Gagner has three points (1-2-3) over the past six games