Islanders Face Canucks: Game Preview

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

Monday’s game at Rogers Arena holds special significance for Marc Gatcomb of the New York Islanders. Although it won’t be a homecoming, this marks his first NHL appearance in Vancouver. Previously, Gatcomb spent two years with the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford without playing in the NHL.

Gatcomb expressed his admiration for the city, noting, “The city here is awesome. It’s very pretty, driving in the rink, see the mountains.” He looks forward to reconnecting with old friends on the opposing team.

Season Series Overview

The Islanders currently trail in the season series against the Canucks, having lost the first matchup 4-1 on December 19 at UBS Arena. However, the Islanders have had a strong record in British Columbia, going 6-0-3 in their last nine visits, with their last regulation loss dating back to January 6, 2015.

Canucks Recent Performance

Kevin Lankinen is set to start in goal for the Canucks.
Lankinen’s current record stands at 6-13-4, with a GAA of 3.37 and a save percentage of .887.
Notable trades have occurred, including Kiefer Sherwood’s move to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for two second-round picks and defenseman Cole Clayton, who will join AHL Abbotsford.

Winless Streak

The Canucks are enduring a challenging 10-game winless stretch, with a record of 0-8-2 since their last victory on December 29. Their current run marks their first 10-game losing streak since 1998, leaving them at the bottom of the NHL standings with just 37 points.

Scoring Struggles

During this losing streak, Vancouver has managed to score only 17 goals, averaging 1.70 per game while conceding 45 goals, which equates to an alarming average of 4.50 goals per game. Their penalty kill efficiency during this period sits at 56.5%, having killed off 13 of 23 attempts.

Canucks Team Leaders

Elias Pettersson leads the team with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 40 games.
Defenseman Filip Hronek is the assist leader with 24.

Injuries Impacting the Roster

Goaltender Thatcher Demko will miss the game due to being on injured reserve. Demko has been sidelined since January 10, with a record of 8-10-1 this season, featuring a 2.90 GAA and an .897 save percentage. Additionally, Marco Rossi is also on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, contributing 2 points in 8 games prior to his setback.

As the Islanders prepare to face the Canucks, both teams will be looking for a crucial win to turn their respective seasons around.