Canucks Gameday Preview #12: Looking For The California Sweep In L.A.

The Vancouver Canucks (6-2-3) will be looking to sweep their California road trip on Thursday when they face off against the L.A. Kings (8-3-3). The Canucks and Kings are two of the hottest teams currently in the NHL, with each winning at least six of their last ten games. This will be the first of three matches between these two Pacific Division rivals, with two of three games being played in L.A. at the Crypto.com Arena.

Latest From THN's Vancouver Canucks Site:

Rick Tocchet Provides Updates On Canucks' Derek Forbort & Dakota Joshua

Canucks Quinn Hughes Is Well On His Way To Becoming The Greatest Player In Franchise History

Quinn Hughes' Historic Performance Leads Canucks To 5-1 Victory Over The Ducks

The biggest storyline to keep an eye on in this game is the power play. Both the Canucks and Kings have struggled with the man advantage this season, ranking 21st and 22nd in the league. With the game projected to be close until the final whistle, a well-timed power play goal could be the difference between winning and losing.

Players to Watch:

Brock Boeser

One thing is clear: Brock Boeser loves playing against L.A. In 20 career games, he has 17 goals, which includes a hat trick back in 2019. Currently at a point per game this season, Boeser will need to have a strong game at both ends of the ice if Vancouver wants to end the night with two points.

Brandt Clarke

Brandt Clarke has been phenomenal to start the season. The 21-year-old defenceman has 12 points in 14 games and sits fifth on the team with 60 shot attempts. A dynamic defender who has stepped up in the absence of Drew Doughty, Clarke will be a player to keep an eye on not just in this game but all season.

Vancouver Canucks Projected Lineup:

DeBrusk-Miller-Boeser
Suter-Pettersson-Garland
Heinen-Blueger-Sherwood
Sprong-Räty-Höglander

Hughes-Hronek
Soucy-Myers
Brännström-Desharnais

Lankinen
Šilovs

Top 5 Scoring Leaders (Goals, Assists, Points):

Vancouver Canucks (6-2-3):

Quinn Hughes: 2-10-12
Brock Boeser: 6-5-11
J.T. Miller: 4-5-10
Conor Garland: 3-7-10
Kiefer Sherwood: 3-4-7

L.A. Kings (8-3-3):

Anže Kopitar: 5-10-15
Alex Laferriere: 8-5-13
Kevin Fiala: 7-5-12
Adrian Kempe: 5-7-12
Brandt Clarke: 1-11-12

Game Information:

Start Time: 7:30 PM PT
Venue: Crypto.com Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650