Wild-Canucks game preview: Broadcast info, injury updates and analysis
Sarah McClellan's breakdown: Vancouver got off to a blistering start, but the Canucks have lost three of their last five while the Wild won their last four.
December 7, 2023 at 11:01AM
at Vancouver Canucks, Rogers Arena; 9 p.m. Thursday
TV; radio: BSN; 100.3 FM
Stats and analytics: Tap here.
Sarah McLellan's preview:
Opening bell: The Wild and Canucks aren't neighbors in the Western Conference standings. Vancouver (16-9-1) is 11 points ahead and boasts the highest-scoring offense in the NHL as well as the second-best goal differential. But the Wild (9-10-4) are making the strides necessary to climb up the standings, going 4-0 since John Hynes took over as head coach.
Watch him: Canucks RW Brock Boeser's 18 goals aren't just pacing Vancouver: they're leading the NHL. The Burnsville native has already matched his goal output from last season, and he's 11 away from tying his career high, set in 2017-18.
Injuries: Wild D Zach Bogosian (upper body). Canucks C Pius Suter (lower body) and D Carson Soucy (lower body).
Forecast: On paper this looks like a mismatch; Vancouver has been much more successful than the Wild, and the Canucks are near the top of their division. They've been up and down lately, though, losing two of their last three games and three of the past five, while the Wild have cruised to their longest win streak of the season. If the Wild can stay stingy in their own end — they've outscored teams 19-5 during this run — they should be competitive vs. Vancouver.
. . .
Get Sarah's coverage of the Wild and NHL delivered to your inbox for free, and read all our Wild beat coverage here.
The star forward came back from a brief injury absence, and two goals from Frederick Gaudreau helped Minnesota to another road victory.
