Canucks Gear Up for Crosby and the Red-Hot Penguins in Sunday Matinee
The Vancouver Canucks are back in action Sunday afternoon at Rogers Arena, facing off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3:00 p.m. PT puck drop. It’s game five of Vancouver’s eight-game homestand, and it’s shaping up to be a marquee matchup - not just for the standings, but for the star power on display.
Let’s start with the obvious: this is Vancouver’s one and only chance this season to host Sidney Crosby, and if you’re heading to the rink, you’re witnessing a living legend still playing elite hockey in his 21st NHL campaign. Crosby has been dialed in all year, with 27 goals and 57 points through 50 games.
He’s once again flirting with a point-per-game pace - something he’s done every single season of his career - and he’s gearing up to represent Canada at the Olympics next month. At 36, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Zeev Buium Continues to Impress
On the Canucks’ side, rookie defenseman Zeev Buium continues to make the most of his opportunities. He found the back of the net Friday night for his first home goal as a Canuck - a milestone moment in front of the home crowd - and now sits at five goals on the season.
That puts him fourth among rookie blueliners in goals, and his ice time tells you all you need to know about how much trust the coaches have in him. Buium logged nearly 24 minutes in Friday’s game, including time on the top power play unit.
For a first-year player, that’s a big-time vote of confidence.
Scouting the Penguins: Depth, Firepower, and Momentum
The Penguins roll into Vancouver with momentum and firepower. They’re 25-14-11 on the year, sitting second in the Metropolitan Division, and they’ve come out flying on their current Pacific Division road swing.
Pittsburgh has won three straight to open the trip, racking up 16 goals in those games. This team isn’t just relying on Crosby, either - 14 different Penguins have posted multi-point efforts during the trip.
That’s the kind of balanced scoring that makes them a tough out for any opponent.
Their power play has been lethal, converting at a 27.4% clip - good for third-best in the league. Crosby’s been a huge part of that success, netting 10 goals with the man advantage. If Vancouver wants to stay out of trouble, staying disciplined and out of the box will be key.
One trend worth noting: when the Penguins score first on the road, they’re nearly unbeatable, going 12-2-3. But when they fall behind early?
They’re just 2-5-1. That first goal could set the tone in a big way.
Defensively, Erik Karlsson continues to be the workhorse on the back end. He leads the team in average ice time at 23:40 per game and has chipped in offensively with four goals and 29 assists in 45 contests.
Linus Karlsson: Earning Every Shift
One of the most encouraging stories for Vancouver this season has been the emergence of Linus Karlsson. After a strong Calder Cup run last year, he’s come into this season with a renewed focus and it’s paying off. With 11 goals and 13 assists through 48 games, Karlsson has carved out a steady role, and his recent stretch - 13 points in his last 17 games - shows he’s trending in the right direction.
What’s standing out most, though, is the work ethic. Assistant coach Scott Young praised Karlsson’s commitment to the grind: “He’s a true pro’s pro,” Young said.
“He’s always working, always watching video, always trying to get better. That’s what you want in a young player.”
Karlsson’s been rewarded with power play time, and he’s not taking it for granted. “It gives me confidence to be out there with those guys,” he said.
“I just try to do my best every time I’m on the ice. It’s an honor to be on that unit.”
Canucks’ Recent Standouts
Over the last five games, Vancouver has had a few players stepping up in key moments:
- Brock Boeser: 3 goals, 1 assist
- Drew O’Connor: 2 goals, 1 assist
- Linus Karlsson: 1 goal, 2 assists
- David Kämpf: 3 assists
- Evander Kane: 2 goals
It’s been a group effort lately, and that kind of depth will be critical against a Penguins squad that can hurt you in a lot of different ways.
Where to Watch
Sunday’s game is set for 3:00 p.m. PT. Fans can catch the action on Sportsnet or tune in to Brendan Batchelor’s radio call on Sportsnet 650 and the Sportsnet Radio Network.
With Crosby in town and both teams in playoff position, this one has all the ingredients for a high-level, high-stakes showdown.