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Canucks vs. Avalanche Game Day: Elias Pettersson's line can't falter against Nathan MacKinnon

MacKinnon leads the NHL in scoring. Cale Makar is second in defencemen output. Big shutdown challenges for the Canucks' top line.

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Vancouver Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche

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When/where: Tuesday, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena

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TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650

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The latest: Canucks captain Quinn Hughes went out?early with the skills coach Tuesday to test his nagging injury, which could be as simple as a groin strain, or something more concerning. The team has not divulged the nature of the ailment.

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On Friday in Dallas, Hughes threw a heavy offensive-zone check that sent him sprawling awkwardly. And when he went on one of his traditional pivot-and-wheel moves to trigger the transition, he winced and couldn’t complete the manoeuvre at speed, and struggled to finish the game.

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Hughes suggested 48 hours between games would give the reigning Norris Trophy winner a better indication of his playing status Sunday. He sat out. However, he plans to play when the U.S. faces Finland in its 4-Nations Face-Off opener on Feb. 13 against Finland in Montreal.

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That could mean the ailment is not severe in nature, but Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet didn’t go into details. Hughes continues to lead all defencemen in scoring with 59 points (14-45) in 47 games, just one point ahead of Avalanche star Cale Makar, who has played seven more.

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“He’s not going to play tonight,” said Tocchet. “He wants to gut everything out, but it’s the right move. You take it day by day with him and with anybody. With guys, I’ve seen things linger, and for some after 24 hours, it helps. We’ll see how it goes.”

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There are also reports that Canucks defenceman Carson Soucy, who was scratched Sunday could be shipped elsewhere in a trade. He may play tonight, so consider it as being showcased for a possible move.

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The buzz: Those rabid and raucous fans of the Canucks will probably boo the U.S. anthem again to loudly vocalize their disdain for trade war tariffs.

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However, if they choose to also boo NHL leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon, a proud native of Halifax, N.S., it will be a sporting level of respect for the havoc that the reigning Hart Trophy winner has caused the Canucks over a dozen seasons.

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The more things change in an ever-evolving game, the more they stay the same with MacKinnon, although the dynamic centre has become more complete with a league-high 60 assists to go with 20 goals.

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You have to go way back to put the superstar’s place in the game in proper perspective.

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Former Canucks star Daniel Sedin called MacKinnon the best winger at combining an explosive stride with the release of a heavy wrist shot that packs velocity and accuracy. On Feb. 26, 2018, in Denver, there was ample evidence of Sedin being a puck prophet.

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MacKinnon exploded for two goals, three points, nine shots and 19 attempts in a 3-1 win over the Canucks.

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Fast-forward and the task of negating another explosion Tuesday could fall on Elias Pettersson and wingers Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk. They should relish the opportunity because they need to make up for Sunday.

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Jake DeBrusk collides with Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during an Oct. 17 game in Florida. The struggling DeBrusk needs that drive Tuesday. Photo by Wilfredo Lee /AP
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The line combined for just four shots and 10 attempts, and looked disconnected — especially in the offensive zone through the first 40 minutes — in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

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“We had a 3-on-1 and a couple of 2-on-1s and we’re missing the net and not connecting,” said Tocchet. “I didn’t think they (Wings) had many chances all night but a couple of rush chances and it’s in our net.

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“We have to hit the net and make the moments count.”

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It was made harder by the slumping Boeser not finding the net. The winger has just one goal in his last 10 games because he’s not picking his spot and passing on Grade A chances. The latter occurred in the third period with the Canucks trying to make it 2-2.

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Boeser raced to the right-side dot and tried to feed a covered player instead of snapping one home from his favourite spot.

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In the first period, he was denied on a partial breakaway and then fired way wide on a second-period chance. To make matters worse, Pettersson is scoreless in six games and has one goal in his last 12. And DeBrusk has one goal in his last 13 outings.

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The history: Second meeting of season. The Canucks held the Avalanche to 25 shots and fired 31 in a 3-1 home-ice win Dec. 16 as Kiefer Sherwood struck for his first career hat trick. He had seven shots and three hits. The Canucks have only hit the 30-shot plateau 11 times and are ranked 31st at 25.4 per outing.

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The hope: Newcomers pick up where they left off. Centre Filip Chytil got the dramatic third-period equalizer to force overtime Sunday, Marcus Pettersson was strong and calm as a top-four blueliner and big winger Drew O’Connor showed hustle and bite.

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The fear: Trading J.T. Miller meant losing the edge in faceoffs for puck possession. He’s ranked eighth at 58.4 per cent efficiency. The Canucks got a boost from Chytil, who went 9-for-12 on Sunday (76 per cent), but he’s only 46.5 per cent this season. Teddy Blueger is 50.9, Pettersson 45.3 and Pius Suter 43.5 per cent.

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The top guns: The three-way race in defenceman scoring continues. If Hughes doesn’t play, his perch atop the pack could be taken over by Makar. He’s one behind the Canucks’ captain with 58 points (19-39) and has eight points (6-2) in his last eight games. Zach Werenski of Columbus has 57 points (17-40).

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The wounded: Canucks: Hughes (leg, game-time decision). Avalanche: (Gabriel Landeskog, knee, IR); Oliver Kylington (upper body, IR); Valeri Nichushkin (lower body, day-to-day); and Scott Wedgewood (upper body, day-to-day).

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The quote: I thought we controlled the game. The new guys played well and a lot of positives tonight.” — Tocchet on Sunday’s effort against the Wings.

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The projected lineup:?

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DeBrusk-Pettersson-Boeser

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Joshua-Chytil-Garland

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O’Connor-Suter-Sherwood

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Hoglander-Blueger-Karlsson

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Forbort-Hronek

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M. Pettersson-Myers

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Soucy-Mancini

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The prediction: The Canucks deserved a better fate Sunday but need to match and elevate that effort. Gut feeling is they rise to the challenge and gut out a 4-3 win.

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(FAN FORUM: Do you have a specific question for a player? Pass it along to @provincesports and we’ll get it in a future edition.)

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bkuzma@postmedia.com

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