Stanley Cup Playoffs: Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild series preview

Burning Questions

These questions will probably determine how this series goes.

How Will Green Utilize A Finally Healthy Forward Group?

It’s been quite some time since the Canucks could ice a fully healthy roster. But the hiatus has allowed guys to get healthy. I’m especially interested to see how Travis Green uses Josh Leivo if he’s healthy. He gave Vancouver a nice spark when healthy, but he has to be used in a sheltered role. A sheltered third line featuring Virtanen, Leivo, and Gaudette could do some damage.

Who Starts In Goal For Minnesota?

I don’t envy Dean Evason right now. He’s got a tough decision to make between Devan Dubnyk and Alex Stalock. Dubnyk has more experience, but it’s undeniable Stalock was playing better before the novel coronavirus pandemic shortened the season.

Whoever’s in net for the Wild probably won’t have a long leash. Minnesota doesn’t need great goaltending to win in the postseason. They merely need their goalie to be good enough. Defensively, Minnesota is one of the best teams in the league.

Can The Wild Exploit The Canucks Defense?

Minnesota plays pretty conservatively. Their defense doesn’t allow much, but their offense doesn’t create much either. The Wild would be wise to try to push the pace against Vancouver, especially since Markstrom hasn’t played in a while.

Prediction

I’ve got the Canucks in four. The Wild present an interesting challenge for Vancouver, but ultimately, I trust Vancouver way more than I trust Minnesota. They have stronger forwards and much better goaltending, especially if Markstrom plays as well as he has all season.