So, tonight's contest at Rogers Arena in Vancouver opens an important three-game Western Canada roadie that continues on Saturday in Edmonton and Sunday in Calgary.
"We've got three big divisional games where we can start putting these teams behind us, maybe for good," said former Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa. "I know it's still early, but this road trip will be big for us. These are teams you're fighting for playoff spots with. You can do as well as you want against the East. Obviously you want to pick up points, but when it comes down to it, you want to be good in your division. These are four-point games that go a lot further in the standings. These are teams you're going to face in the playoffs if you make it."
The Ducks will likely turn to John Gibson (7-7-3) for the second consecutive game, and, against the Canucks, it's a good choice. The 23-year-old is 4-1-0 in his career against the Canucks, including two shutouts. His goals-against average is a gaudy 1.41, while his save percentage is .937.
Gibson, of course, made his highly anticipated debut against the Canucks in this building on April 7, 2014 as a 20-year-old, and confidently turned aside all 18 shots to become the youngest goaltender to record a shutout in his NHL debut since the Buffalo's Daren Puppa (20 years, 223 days) in the 1985-86 season. Gibson was 20 years and 297 days.
"Any time you go back to the place where you played your first game, it's special," Gibson said today. "Good memories."
Gibson is coming off a career-tying 39-save performance in the victory over the Habs on Tuesday.
This will also be a homecoming for young defenseman Shea Theodore, who grew up in nearby Aldergrove, British Columbia. Theodore says his parents will make the 45-minute drive to Rogers Arena tonight, along with additional family members and friends.
It appears the lineup we saw against the Canadiens will carry over into tonight's game, so expect to see Theodore alongside Bieksa on the third D pairing.
Showing Signs of Improvement
The Ducks skated to a 4-2 victory over the Canucks back on October 23, which, unfortunately for Vancouver, marked the second defeat in a string of losses that spanned a whopping nine games. But these days the Canucks are in far better spirits, as they come into this matchup riding a two-game winning streak and victories in three of the past five games. Vancouver has gone 6-3-1 in the 10 games following the skid.
"They've created some staples in their game," said Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle. "I watched their game the other night. They scored two goals off a point shot with a high tip and two goals off rebounds. They're going to the net and going to the dirty areas. We have to be ready from the start. We haven't had good starts as of late, so that's one thing we'd like to focus on."
Cramarossa Skates
Ducks left wing Joseph Cramarossa was on the ice earlier today for the morning skate at Rogers Arena, a good sign that he's improving from a lower-body injury that's kept him out of the lineup for the past five games. Cramarossa was effective in his role on the third line, and registered three points (1g/2a) in 13 games.
The 24-year-old scored his first career NHL goal on November 1 at LA and earned his first NHL assist on November 9 at Columbus. Cramarossa and defenseman Clayton Stoner (lower body) are currently on injured reserve.
