Event of the Day: Vancouver Canucks versus San Jose Sharks
Our event of the day is the NHL clash between divisional rivals, the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks at the Rogers Arena. Despite losing three-straight games in their recent outings, the Canucks overcame the Pacific Division leading Calgary Flames in Calgary last time out to notch just their second win in the month of February. Meanwhile, the Sharks are one of the league’s form teams just now, and have won each of their last five games, four of which were on the road. The Canucks currently reside fourth in the Pacific Division as they go in search of their first Stanley Cup win in their history. If they are to reach the playoffs and put together an impressive post-season run, then Elias Pettersson will likely be at the heart of it. Vancouver’s young centre has been a revelation on the ice this season, and currently leads the team’s goal scoring stakes, having notched 25 already this year. Should the Canucks qualify for the playoffs, it will be their first appearance since 2015, having failed to qualify in each of the last three seasons. Only the Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary have secured more points than San Jose this year, who are flying high in the Western Conference.
The Sharks currently sit second in the Pacific Division and look in great shape to bring playoff hockey back to San Jose this year. Since the 2004/05 NHL lockout, they have reached the playoffs in all but one campaign, but have reached the Stanley Cup Finals just once in that period, and they will be desperate to reach those prestigious games once more. San Jose’s defenceman Brent Burns has been crucial to his side’s success this term, and has already recorded 50 assists in the league to add to his tally of 11 goals. Last time these two sides met on the ice, the Sharks ran out 4-0 winners on their home patch and they will be looking for a similar result this time round. With the two side’s having conceded a combined 349 goals between them this term, you can expect plenty of action in tonight’s tie! It should be a great game.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the cricket where the West Indies take on England as Day 3 of the Third Test gets underway. With the hosts currently 2-0 up on the series, England will merely be playing to restore some pride after being picked apart in the opening two tests. England seem to have found some form though, currently sitting 142 runs ahead with all their second innings wickets in hand. There is also a typically hectic night in the NBA with nine games taking place across the league. The Denver Nuggets will look to snap their three-game losing streak as they welcome the Miami Heat to the Pepsi Center, whilst the Eastern Conference leaders are also in action as the Milwaukee bucks face the Chicago Bulls in Chicago. Elsewhere, the Welsh Open begins today in the snooker where John Higgins will be gunning for back-to-back titles at the renowned event. There is also some football to look out for tonight, as Wolves face Newcastle in the Premier League whilst Alaves host Levante in La Liga.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NHL