They say ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’. 2 points in the standings are up for grabs tonight, so...

Vancouver Canucks @ Vegas Golden Knights

T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV

When: 7:00 PM PST

Where to watch: SNP, ATTSN-RM

Where to listen: Sportsnet650

SB Nation Game Hub

Opposition Blog: Knights On Ice

TANKWATCH 2018: It’s a big night for the Canucks, given the boost they got last night from Arizona. The Coyotes, who at the start of February were 15 points behind the Canucks have now made up that gap, and they did it at the expense of the playoff dreams of the Calgary Flames. A 5-2 win led by 2 goals each from Oliver Ekman-Larsen and Max Domi paced the Coyotes to the victory. They didn’t get any help from the Sabres last night, who dropped a 4-0 shutout loss to Nashville, despite outshooting the Predators. Two other games the Canucks will need to keep an eye on tonight have the Florida Panthers taking on the Ottawa Senators, and the Detroit Red Wings hosting the Philadelphia Flyers.

A regulation loss by the Canucks will drop them to 30th place, setting the stage for tomorrow night’s clash between Arizona and Buffalo. The only bad outcome for the Canucks there is if that game heads to a shootout. Someone getting an ROW win is the key, though even if it goes to the shootout it’s not the end of the world, it only affects a tie-breaking situation.

The debate is still raging about whether or not the Canucks should bring back the Sedins next season, as well as whether or not they’d even want to return. One thing you should prepare yourselves for, is the cold reality that without wholesale changes to this team in their absence, the offence is going to be sparse at best.

They’ll be playing a Golden Knights team coming off a 4-0 shutout of the Flames, but had also lost 4 straight on home ice leading up to this. Vegas has won as many at the T-Mobile Arena as the Canucks have overall. The Canucks are also averaging a goal a game since losing Brock Boeser to that scary back fracture.

There’s been a lot of great stories about the season Vegas is having that have nothing to do with the way the expansion rules were tailored for their success, none more than the play of William Karlsson. Drafted by Anaheim, then traded to Columbus, Karlsson has a shot at hitting the 40 goal mark last night. His previous season high was 9 goals two years ago with the Blue Jackets. I mean, his shooting percentage of 23.8% isn’t sustainable over the long run, but he’s certainly made the most of his opportunity in Vegas.

GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN

In a very Testament mood today, and we’re gonna go back to the criminally underrated 3rd album from the band ‘Practice What You Preach’ and the track ‘Perilous Nation’.