Vancouver Canucks: February 2012 Predictions and Preview

Vancouver Canucks February 2012 Schedule:

Thursday, Feb. 2nd vs. Detroit Red Wings
Saturday, Feb. 4th @ Colorado Avalanche
Tuesday, Feb. 7th @ Nashville Predators
Thursday, Feb. 9th @ Minnesota Wild
Saturday, Feb. 11th @ Calgary Flames
Monday, Feb. 13th vs. Phoenix Coyotes
Wednesday, Feb. 15th vs. Colorado Avalanche
Saturday, Feb. 18th vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Sunday, Feb. 19th @ Edmonton Oilers
Tuesday, Feb. 21st @ Nashville Predators
Thursday, Feb. 23rd @ Detroit Red Wings
Friday, Feb. 24th @ New Jersey Devils
Sunday, Feb. 26th @ Dallas Stars
Tuesday, Feb. 28th @ Phoenix Coyotes

The Canucks only played 11 games in January with an extremely light schedule. In February, they get back to the grind, with 14 games in the shortest month of the year.

Only four of those games are at home, as the Canucks are clearing out the road portion of the 2011-2012 schedule early. After February, they will play 13 of their final 18 games.

Notable Games:

Thursday, Feb. 2nd (home) & Thursday, Feb. 23rd (away) vs. Detroit Red Wings

The Canucks open off their February schedule with a home game against the ever formidable Red Wings.

Aside from the great entertainment value when these two teams meet, these games could be considered a bit of litmus test for the potential first-round playoff matchup.

Saturday, Feb. 18th vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Canada's most popular team vs. Canada's most successful team in a matchup that will be the marquee game for Hockey Night in Canada.

These games are always huge, but with the added benefit that the Leafs are actually good this season just lends more fuel to the fire.

The biggest question might be who gets the start, Schneider or Luongo?

Tuesday, Feb. 7th & Tuesday, Feb. 21st @ Nashville Predators

In another two-game series against a tough Central Division opponent, the Canucks twice will journey into Nashville to play some physical games against another potential playoff opponent.

This series will be feistier than the one against the Red Wings, as the Preds weren't very happy about being ousted from the playoffs on home ice by the Canucks last spring.

Plus this might be some of the last games Nashville fans get to see Shea Weber in before the inevitable blockbuster trade that puts him in a Canucks sweater. (I've seen this rumor so many times on twitter so it must be true, right?)

Monday, Feb. 27th Trading Deadline

Well, this isn't a game day, but it is trading deadline day. Will it be much ado about nothing, or will general manager Mike Gillis pull off a blockbuster.

Canucks to Watch:
 

Cody Hodgson

He's been on a tear in January, moving up the rookie scoring standings and solidifying himself as the third-line center. Hodgson has come up big in big games, scoring key goals against the Bruins, Sharks and Blackhawks in January.

Can Cody continue to be hot, or will he hit the rookie wall in February?

Based on his conditioning work in the offseason with NHL star turned trainer Gary Roberts, I'd say it's a safe bet that Hodgson will continue to perform.

David Booth

He's been great since returning from injury, picking up the chemistry he had just started to exhibit with Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins prior to his knee injury.

Cory Schneider

After getting starts against huge rivals and potential Stanley Cup favorites in the Bruins and Blackhawks in January, will Vancouver's most popular goaltender continue to get the big starts? After February 27th, will he even be a Canuck anymore?

January Predictions:

Last month, I predicted the Canucks would go 8-3 in January, good for 16 out of a possible 22 points.
After Daniel Sedin put the Hawks away with an overtime goal on January 31st, the Canucks had a record of 7-2-2, good for 16 points in January.

The Canucks are still shaking off their midseason doldrums, but with the end of the regular season in sight, expect them to start picking up their play. I predict the Canucks will continue to be an excellent road team, and go 9-5 on this road trip heavy month, picking up 18 out of a possible 28 points.