Game Notes: Canucks vs. Lightning

The Canucks face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning for their second and final match up of the season. The Canucks were victorious in the first game in Tampa Bay on Oct. 11, winning 4-1. Vancouver is 3-2-0 in their last five games versus the Lightning (4-5-1 in their last 10).
Tonight marks the third game of a five-game homestand before Christmas that also sees visits from St. Louis (Dec. 20) and Winnipeg (Dec. 22).
The Canucks have not allowed a power play goal against since Dec. 4th vs MIN. Over the last six games they have killed off 13 consecutive shorthanded occasions.
Four players enter tonight's game on scoring streaks:
- Brock Boeser: 3-3-6 in 3 GP - Nikolay Goldobin: 0-3-3 in 3 GP - Bo Horvat: 2-2-4 in 3 GP - Elias Pettersson: 4-9-13 in 7 GP

MORNING SKATE UPDATE:

The Canucks held a full skate Tuesday morning with Brandon Sutter the only player not on the ice. Sven Baertschi wore a regular blue practice jersey instead of a grey non-contact sweater, meaning he is progressing well, said Coach Green. Baetschi is not expected back before the holiday break.
Anders Nilsson starts in goal for the Canucks; he made 33 saves in a 4-1 win over the Lightning earlier this season.

Brock Boeser has found undeniable chemistry with rookie forward Elias Pettersson and the pair come into tonight's game streaking. Boeser has three goals and three assists over his last three games, while Petey has four goals and 13 points over his last seven games.

LAST MEETING - OCT. 11/18: VAN 4 at TB 1

Elias Pettersson tied the game 1-1 at 11:07 in the third, extending his scoring streak to four consecutive games...Brock Boeser notched the eventual game-winner at 12:17 in the third...Jake Virtanen and Markus Granlund collected empty-netters...Tyler Motte set a Canucks 2018. 19 season high for most hits in a game (6)...Anders Nilsson collected the win in his first start of the season, making 33 saves.

VERSUS LIGHTNING TIDBITS:

• Jake Virtanen leads all skaters in scoring in the season series vs TB to date with two points (1-1-2)
• Loui Eriksson has registered 11 career points (4-7-11) in 22 games versus the Lightning
• Alex Edler (4-4-8 in 13 GP) and Brandon Sutter (3-5-8 in 33 GP) have each posted eight career points against Tampa Bay
• Jay Beagle registered his 100th career point, Nov. 24/17 vs TB
• Loui Eriksson recorded his 300th career assist, Dec. 16/16 vs TB

LAST GAME - DEC. 16/18: VAN 4 vs EDM 2

Alex Edler tied the game 1-1 with a power play goal at 11:49 in the second period...Brock Boeser, who had a three point night, gave the Canucks the lead for the first time in the game at 14:46 in the second...Elias Pettersson notched the eventual game-winner at 3:04 in the third...Bo Horvat collected the empty-netter...the Canucks set a season high for most power play goals in a game (3)...Jacob Markstrom established a career high for longest winning streak (5 games) after making 20 saves.

THE ROOKIE

Elias Pettersson was named first star of the week ending December 9th after leading the NHL with eight points (2-6-8) in three games. He collected one assist on Dec. 4 vs MIN, then scored his third career game-winning goal and added one helper on Dec. 6 vs NSH. He capped the week with his second career five-point performance on Dec. 9 at STL.
Pettersson tied Lars Molin for the second longest rookie point streak in franchise history, going 4-9-13 over the last seven games. Pavel Bure holds the club record of 8 games, established in the 1991-92 season.
With five points (1-4-5) on Dec. 9, Pettersson became the sixth rookie since 1967-68 to record multiple outings with at least five points in a single season. He also joined Bryan Trottier as the only NHL rookies to accomplish the feat before the end of December.
Pettersson leads all rookies in goals (17), assists (18), points (35), power-play points (11), shooting percentage (27.9%) and points per game (1.17). Only three rookies in franchise history averaged better than 0.80 points per game (min. 50 GP): Pavel Bure (1991.92; 0.92), Brock Boeser (2017.18; 0.89) and Ivan Hlinka (1981.82; 0.83). He also ranks tied for first among rookies in power- play goals (5). He ranks sixth for most points through his first 29 career GP since 1983-84.
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. He was also 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.

FACE THE FACTS

Bo Horvat ranks first in the NHL in face-off wins (482), first in even-strength face-off wins (387) and first in face-offs taken (894). He also ranks tied for fourth in PP face-off wins (64).
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
Horvat ranks second on the team in points (32), goals (16), assists (16), power play goals (4) and power play points (9) and first in shots (94), face-off win percentage (53.9%; min. 10 GP) and TOI (among forwards; 20:53).

THE GOING RATE

• Brock Boeser has nine points (6-3-9) over the past five games
• Chris Tanev has two points (1-1-2) over the past four games
• Josh Leivo has four points (3-1-4) in seven games as a Canuck
• Jake Virtanen has three points (2-1-3) over the past six games; he scored his 10th goal on Dec. 11 at CBJ to tie a career-high
• Loui Eriksson has three points (2-1-3) over the past six games
• Alex Edler has four points (1-3-4) over the past four games
• Antoine Roussel has five assists (0-5-5) over the past six games
• Elias Pettersson is currently on a seven-game point streak (4-9-13 during that span)
• Troy Stecher has four points/assists over the past seven games
• Bo Horvat has nine points (5-4-9) over the past nine games
• Markus Granlund has two points (1-1-2) over the past three games
• Tyler Motte has two points (0-2-2) over the past four games
• Nikolay Goldobin has five points (1-4-5) over the past six games
• Jay Beagle has two points (1-1-2) over the past three games