Canucks aim to tame the Wild tonight

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Canucks are looking to take advantage of a slumping Minnesota Wild team this evening at Rogers Arena. The Wild have lost eight straight and fired their coach Mike Yeo yesterday. John Torchetti takes over behind the bench, hoping for a reversal of fortune. Vancouver is also seeking some puck luck, having dropped four straight on home ice.

Coach Willie Desjardins says it is imperative the Canucks get off to a good start after a disastrous game on Saturday against Toronto.

“I think we have to be ready. We have to establish our game. Minnesota is going to be a tough test. They have a good team. They have good personnel and they are trying to change their luck so we have to be ready from the start.”

Bo Horvat and Dan Hamhuis missed yesterday’s practice but they will be in the lineup. Hamhuis says he is doing his best to ignore the trade rumours surrounding his name.

“I personally don’t read what the media is saying. It has been insulated from the players and I am not on any type of social media so we don’t hear about it in here.”

Alex Friesen is expected to make his NHL debut. He has 18-points in 41-games for the Comets in the AHL. Desjardins says he really likes the way the 25-year old forward plays.

“He can play all the positions. He brings a lot of energy. He is a guy who will compete hard and be hard on the puck and that is what we want. We want guys competing hard. He is a good skater and he brings a little bit of tempo to our game.”

Jacob Markstrom gets the start in net for Vancouver. He has won four straight games.

Both teams have split the season series with a win and a loss apiece. The playoffs are looking grim for both the Canucks and the Wild. They have 56-points thru 55-games and are five points back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. and you can watch the game on Sportsnet.

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