Canucks vs. Blackhawks game day: Where is the team trending?

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

TV: Hockey Night in Canada Radio: Sportsnet 650

The buzz: The Canucks need to start racking up wins. Why not against the second (?) worst team in the NHL? That said, the Canucks are two different narratives right now — they’re a team that has been generally struggling, having lost six of 10. But they’ve also won three of five and have outshot the opposition. They are creating far more than they have in recent months. Is it a trend? They sure hope so.

The history: The Canucks have beaten the Blackhawks twice this season, 6-3 and 4-1. Chicago just lost to San Jose and are a total tire fire.

The hope: Quinn Hughes is back. Elias Pettersson is playing better. The Canucks are generating more shots. They should be on the upswing.

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The fear: Trap game. Chicago has no business being in this one so, of course, watch them have a good game.

The top guns: Pettersson is finally scoring. He tied the game up on Wednesday in Calgary, giving him three goals in four games. On the other hand, Brock Boeser hasn’t netted anything in 10 games and the Canucks need him to start scoring again.

The wounded: Canucks: Thatcher Demko (lower body, week to week), Conor Garland (“banged up,” day to day). Blackhawks: Laurent Brossoit (knee, out for season).

The quote: “Obviously, it’s a big game for us. But the next 17 are all going to be big.” — Quinn Hughes on the task in front of him and his teammates.

The latest: Rick Tocchet said Friday he had yet to decide on who would start in goal on Saturday, given that there’s a back-to-back on Sunday against Utah.

The projected lineup: 

Joshua-Pettersson-Garland

O’Connor-Chytil-Lekkerimäki

DeBrusk-Suter-Boeser

Höglander-Blueger-Sherwood

Hughes-Hronek

M. Pettersson-Myers

E. Pettersson-Forbort

Lankinen

The prediction: The Blackhawks really do stink. The Canucks are going to win 4-1.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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