The Vancouver Canucks are off to a strong start on their first extended road stretch of the season.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins aim to carry over some recent away success when they return home.
The Canucks can improve to 4-0-0 on their five-game trip by keeping the Penguins from a third consecutive victory Tuesday night.
Vancouver dropped two of its first three games of the season, but has registered 12 goals while winning the first three of this trek. On Sunday, the Canucks scored the first four goals at Washington, then hung on for a 4-3 win.
“It’s a huge start to our trip,” said Vancouver netminder Thatcher Demko, who made 28 saves against the Capitals. ” … I think we all knew kind of what position we were in coming into the trip, and to get the first three is huge. We have two left that we want to get.”
It’s uncertain if Vancouver star Brock Boeser, who has three goals in five games, will be available after he missed Sunday’s contest due to personal reasons.
Getting him back would be significant after fellow forwards Filip Chytil (three goals this season) and Jonathan Lekkerimaki were placed on injured reserve Monday after sustaining injuries at Washington. Center Teddy Blueger is also doubtful to play against Pittsburgh after sustaining an injury late in Sunday’s win, per a Sportsnet report.
Vancouver forward Conor Garland added two assists in the Washington win, raising his total to five on the young campaign.
Demko is 3-1-0 with a 2.28 goals-against average and .922 save percentage this season. However, he’s 1-3-1 with a 4.21 GAA all-time versus Pittsburgh. Canucks backup Kevin Lankinen has stopped 62 of 68 shots he’s faced while splitting his two starts this month.
Vancouver’s early road success will be put to the test at Pittsburgh, where it has lost four of the last five trips. However, these Canucks are playing with a humble confidence that could possibly halt those particular struggles against the Penguins.
“We’re learning as we go, still,” said Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers, who recorded a goal with an assist Sunday. “But guys are doing a good job of staying in it and playing with a lot of good work ethic.”
The Penguins sport the same 4-2-0 overall record as Vancouver. After falling at Anaheim, they concluded their three-game trip with wins over Los Angeles and San Jose. Tristan Jarry stopped all 31 shots he faced Saturday against the Sharks, while superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each had a goal with an assist in the 3-0 victory.
“The season is still really young,” said Penguins coach Dan Muse, whose club has played just two games at home this season. “We are still in the early stages, but we are seeing some of that foundation being built of what we want to continue to build on.”
Crosby and Malkin continue to produce, recording a combined 16 points through six games. Malkin has 13 goals with 17 assists in 24 career games versus Vancouver, while Crosby has posted 12 goals and 14 assists in 25 against the Canucks.
Jarry has saved 83 of the 90 shots he’s faced while 2-1-0 this season. The British Columbia native is 4-1-0 with a 2.60 goals-against average as a starter versus Vancouver.
Penguins backup Artus Silovs is also 2-1-0 on the young season and sporting a 2.67 GAA. He has never faced the Canucks.
