Playoff Ready? Canucks get the big win in Edmonton, so lots to talk about for Matt and Blake as confidence may be restored to Canucks nation heading into the playoffs. The guys go over the new lineup, a renaissance performance for Casey DeSmith, and the return of depth scoring.  John Shannon stops by with his thoughts on the late-season revival for the Canucks, and a likely Pacific Division title. Plus, John’s thoughts on playoff travel formats, and his own history with Vancouver’s towel...

Saturday Showdown for the Pacific Division! The Canucks are getting set to face the Oilers, and Matt and Blake are getting you ready with all the discussion points around the game, including the possible participation of stars like McDavid and Demko who are coming back from injury. Plus, the guys debate where the best spot is for Lindholm, and whether his practice assignment with Joshua and Garland will stick.  Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli stops by for his weekly visit and weighs in on the...

Matt and Blake debate whether winning the division matters, potential first-round opponents, and those arguments spill into whether the Canucks should be worried about form heading into the final three games of the regular season. Topics include: the division race, goaltending and Thatcher Demko's return, the overtime loss to Arizona, special teams, offensive output, Rick Tocchet's comments about the power play, Elias Lindholm's take on intensity and finding form before the playoffs, the...

A Coyotes finale of all finales? The final matchup of the season between the Canucks and Yotes takes on new meaning with multiple reports of their impending move to Salt Lake City for next season. But it’s also a newsy day for the Canucks, as Matt and Blake take a look at a lineup that likely includes Elias Lindholm, who had missed seven games, and another start for Arturs Silovs as well! The guys also go over the prospect of a Demko start on the weekend, as the Canucks number one goaltender...

Milestone night as the Canucks beat a playoff team for the first time in a month, taking down Vegas! Boeser to 40 goals, Miller to 100 points, while Hughes and Garland shine as well, so lots for Matt and Blake to discuss on this edition of the show. Plus, with the performance of the undefeated Arturs Silovs, who gets the start between the pipes on Wednesday vs. the Yotes? Rink Wide’s Jeff Paterson joins the boys live from practice with the latest on Thatcher Demko’s imminent return, and Jeff...

The big week begins! The Canucks have a massive 3 game set this week, and Matt and Blake get you ready with a preview of the showdown with the Golden Knights, and all the permutations thereafter. The guys have the latest from the game-day skate as the Canucks make changes, including the insertion of Arturs Silovs in between the pipes. What does that mean for the crease for the rest of the season, especially if they get a win? And, are 11 forwards and 7 D going to be a thing? Former Canucks...

Another playoff preview?? The Canucks close out their road trip in LA on Saturday, and a win makes it even more possible that the two sides face each other in the first round, so Matt and Blake look ahead to the possible lineup changes and how the Canucks might be able to break through the stodgy LA system. The guys also wonder aloud about the defence rotation and who will find themselves on the outside of the top 6 come playoff time.  Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli stops by and gives his...

Canucks earn the split and outlast the Coyotes! Quinn Hughes is the story right now and Matt and Blake are all over it as the Norris favourite has lifted his game to another level again. The guys poll whether or not Hughes is the team MVP, and whether anyone will follow his example as the team tries to find its dominance again ahead of the playoffs. Frank Corrado stops by to wax poetically on the Canucks best defenceman, and how he’s adapted and developed even further. Frank weighs in on the...

Matt and Blake discuss the Canucks' 6-3 loss in Vegas and whether it's time to worry. Difficult night for Elias Pettersson, Ian Cole, Casey DeSmith, Nikita Zadorov and others. They talk about the hard-charging Oilers and first place in the division, the Canucks' poor form since the all-star break (especially against good teams), Pettersson's pointless nights, officiating, missing Thatcher Demko, and whether Noah Juulsen is one of their six best defencemen. Patrick Johnston joins and says he's...

On the road again! Canucks are in Vegas to start a 3 game roadie this week, so Matt and Blake preview the possible first round showdown, including the lineup changes. Also, can the PP build off what happened versus Anaheim and can Dakota Joshua keep this up? Jeff Paterson stops by from Rink Wide: Vancouver with his take on the Canucks form of late and whether there’s reason to be confident just on defence alone. Jeff gives us his lineup permutations, and possible goaltending assignments for...

Matt and guest co-host Irf Gaffar talk about the Canucks' ailing power play and how to fix it. They discuss the loss to Dallas on Thursday, the stakes against Anaheim come Sunday, who should tend goal versus the Ducks, why the coach used different forward combinations than what he has practised with, and the officiating vs the Stars. Plus we hear from head coach Rick Tocchet, forward J.T. Miller, evaluate Arshdeep Bains' return to the NHL, look ahead to playoff tickets, and check in on some...

Matt and guest co-host Irf Gaffar look at the Canucks second opportunity to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs and a chance to reclaim the top spot in the Western Conference against the Dallas Stars. They delve into several topics including: Dakota Joshua's return to the lineup, his station alongside J.T. Miller & Brock Boeser how much he was missed, and his season arc after some tough love in October. Other topics include 10 games left, it's go time; Elias Lindholm's injury and...

Matt and guest co-host Jeff Paterson from Rink Wide: Vancouver talk about the Canucks' calling card: is it offence or defence? They discuss the return of Dakota Joshua to practice and his placement on the Miller-Boeser line, Thatcher Demko being placed on LTIR and his earliest return date, the recall of Arshdeep Bains and the need for a young forward to step up, the Elias Lindholm injury and whether it will end badly for him in Vancouver, the struggling power play and potential fixed,...

Matt and Irf Gaffar (sitting in for Blake) talk about the Canucks' 3-2 loss to L.A., including whether the Kings are the team to avoid in the playoffs with the way they play and their record against Vancouver this season. The guys discuss Quinn Hughes' heavy workload and his comments post-game about how to waste energy and how he best generates chances; J.T. Miller's comments about the Canucks being a measuring stick, even if they're failing to get to the scoring areas against L.A. Plus, we...

Big show for a big night as the Canucks try to clinch a playoff berth. Irf Gaffar joins Blake as co-host, and the guys discuss the likely absence of Elias Lindholm vs the Kings and maybe beyond, Dakota Joshua back at practice, and Jonathan Lekkerimäki officially joins the Abby Canucks to possibly even play a game before the season ends.  Jeff Paterson stops by from Rink Wide: Vancouver and has lots to say on the eventful practice from Sunday, plus a recap of the Canucks win over the Flames on...

The Canucks continue to set the pace atop the Pacific with a win over Montreal, and Nikita Zadorov takes his turn in the spotlight. Matt and Blake discuss the biggest night of Zadorov’s Canucks career as the big defenceman paces the team with two 1st period goals en route to the 4-1 win. The guys can’t help but wonder if nights like that might change the narrative that he’s just a rental for this season.  They bring in the Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli for his thoughts on that, and how it...

Matt and Blake discuss Ian Cole getting a load-management scratch, and whether the Canucks might consider Noah Juulsen in Cole's stead in the postseason. They talk about Casey DeSmith making a fourth straight start and playing in a fifth consecutive game in place of the injured Thatcher Demko. The NHL season, is it too long? What could schedules look like if not every Western and Eastern team play each other every year? The black Skate jersey being the primary playoff attire, Thursday's game...

Pettersson's prowess propels PP, Canucks outlast the Sabres. Matt and Blake have a lot to discuss after the stars came out to play for the Canucks vs. Buffalo, Pettersson’s 3 points, Hughes and his hits, and Miller being Miller. Is it a sign that the Canucks are figuring things out?  TSN’s Frank Corrado stops by to break down the game and what it means down the stretch, including the possible resurgence of Ilya Mikheyev and avoiding a lull before the postseason.  Then, it’s Rob Williams from...

Homestand Part 2! After 3 days off the game schedule, the Canucks get back at it this week starting with the Sabres, with yet another lineup shuffle from head coach Rick Tocchet. Matt and Blake go over those changes and the importance of these next 3 games against non-playoff teams. John Shannon stops by with his take on the readiness of the Canucks for playoff hockey, on the possibility of team-friendly deals for the many Canucks UFAs, and on some bigger NHL issues like expansion and rule...

Homestand Part 2! After 3 days off the game schedule, the Canucks get back at it this week starting with the Sabres, with yet another lineup shuffle from head coach Rick Tocchet. Matt and Blake go over those changes and the importance of these next 3 games against non-playoff teams.  John Shannon stops by with his take on the readiness of the Canucks for playoff hockey, on the possibility of team-friendly deals for the many Canucks UFAs, and on some bigger NHL issues like expansion and rule...

Troubles for Elias x2! Lindholm and Pettersson get the spotlight from Matt and Blake as offensive struggles continue for the two Swedish centres, especially in the wake of back to back letdown losses for the Canucks. Jeff Paterson stops by from Rinkwide Vancouver, and points out that the Canucks have blown leads, and very early leads, too often of late and aren’t able to finish the games right now. The nine-game homestead is only 30 percent done, but the Canucks do need to stay above 500 the...

Troubles for Elias x2! Lindholm and Pettersson get the spotlight from Matt and Blake as offensive struggles continue for the two Swedish centres, especially in the wake of back to back letdown losses for the Canucks.  Jeff Paterson stops by from Rinkwide Vancouver, and points out that the Canucks have blown leads, and very early leads, too often of late and aren’t able to finish the games right now. The nine-game homestead is only 30 percent done, but the Canucks do need to stay above 500 the...

Matt and Blake talk about potential first-round opponents, a spirited Canucks practice, the push to the playoffs, defence pair shuffling, Elias Lindholm's fit going forward, Elias Pettersson's poor game in Colorado and owning it Thursday, Rick Tocchet wanting more wall work from his wingers, free agency this summer, a college signing, wingspan (!), and the GMs meeting reviewing LTIR load-ups. Frank Corrado stops by to talk about the best matchup for the Canucks in the first round, how Elias...

Matt and Blake discuss the 4-3 overtime loss to Colorado, the season sweep by the Avs, the Canucks against the best in the West, another no-show from Elias Pettersson against a top opponent, the Avs best players taking over, Josh Manson's hit on J.T. Miller, Nikita Zadorov's response and Gordie Howe hat trick, the officiating, Canucks blowing leads, Ilya Mikheyev finally getting a goal, Conor Garland's continued strong play, poor Casey DeSmith taking the loss, EP-D reporting to Abbotsford,...