The Vancouver Canucks are off to a good start for their first long road stretch of the season.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins aim to carry over their recent away success when they return home.
The Canucks can improve to 4-0-0 on their five-game road trip by holding off the Penguins from a third straight victory Tuesday night.
Vancouver lost two of its first three games of the season, but scored 12 goals while winning the first three of that stretch. On Sunday, the Canucks scored the first four goals in Washington, then held on for a 4-3 victory.
“It’s a great start to our trip,” said Vancouver goaltender Thatcher Demko, who made 28 saves against the Capitals. “…I think we all knew what position we were in before the trip, and getting the top three is huge. We have two left that we want to get.”
It’s unclear whether Vancouver star Brock Boeser, who has three goals in five games, will be available after missing Sunday’s game for personal reasons.
Getting him back would be important after compatriots Filip Chytil (three goals this season) and Jonathan Lekkerimaki were placed on injured reserve Monday after being injured in Washington. Center Teddy Blueger is also doubtful to play against Pittsburgh after suffering an injury late in Sunday’s win, according to a report from Sportsnet.
Vancouver forward Conor Garland added two assists in Washington’s victory, bringing his total to five for the young campaign.
Demko is 3-1-0 with a 2.28 goals-against average and .922 save percentage this season. However, he is 1-3-1 with a 4.21 ERA against Pittsburgh. Canucks backup Kevin Lankinen stopped 62 of the 68 shots he faced while splitting two starts this month.
Vancouver’s early success on the road will be tested in Pittsburgh, where they have lost four of their last five trips. However, these Canucks play with a humble confidence that could possibly end these particular struggles against the Penguins.
“We’re still learning as we go,” said Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers, who scored a goal with an assist Sunday. “But the guys are doing a good job staying in the group and playing with a good work ethic.”
The Penguins have the same 4-2-0 overall record as Vancouver. After falling to Anaheim, they concluded their three-game road 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 scored a goal with an assist in the 3-0 win.
“The season is still very young,” said Penguins coach Dan Muse, whose club has played only two home games this season. “We’re still in the early stages, but we’re seeing some of this foundation being built that we want to continue to build on.”
Crosby and Malkin continue to produce, recording a combined 16 points in six games. Malkin has 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 career games against Vancouver, while Crosby has 12 goals and 14 assists in 25 games against the Canucks.
Jarry stopped 83 of the 90 shots he faced while posting a 2-1-0 record this season. The British Columbia native is 4-1-0 with a 2.60 goals-against average as a starter against Vancouver.
Penguins backup Artus Silovs is also 2-1-0 in the young season and has a 2.67 ERA. He never faced the Canucks.
–Field level media
