John Tortorella hasn't been entirely pleased with his team's performance of late, but at least they're getting results in the win column. Friday night saw the Canucks blow a 2-0 lead to the Coyotes but end up winning in overtime and getting themselves closer to the playoff picture. But they'll have to gain more ground tonight against a tough opponent in the Colorado Avalanche, a team they'll most likely be up against for a playoff berth.
Meanwhile, for the Colorado Avalanche, they are closing out a three-game Western Canada swing where they lost badly in Edmonton and rebounded for a 3-2 win Friday in Calgary. The Avs, under new coach Patrick Roy, were out to a 12-1-0 start and it's look like they're gonna be on another roll, having won six of their last eight games.
This is going to be a battle of wits. The Canucks have been terrible at home of late, even though they did win their last game in overtime. Canucks are going to have to get their offense going. The Avs are one of the top scoring teams in the NHL and even though they've been in a funk lately scoring 12 times over the last six games. If the Canucks want to beat the Avs, they'll have to get the offense going. Also, the Canucks have to keep their foot on the gas. They learned that on Friday when the Coyotes came back. Vancouver has been able to open the scoring in games. Now it's just a matter of holding the leads. And trust me, if they do squander, the Avs will make them play.
Tortorella knows the importance of this game and what it takes to beat the Avalanche. I think they will come out and play smarter hockey than they did Friday night. They've got to find a way to stay in the playoff race, so I believe that tonight, the Canucks will come out and give the Avs a taste of offense and scoring.
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