Line-up changes coming: The verdict is in for Dakota Joshua

The Vancouver Canucks will continue their home stand on Thursday night as they host the Dallas Stars at Rogers Arena and will be making some changes to their line-up.

This morning, Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed that Dakota Joshua will return to the line-up tonight after missing over six weeks with a hand injury. Forward prospect Arshdeep Bains, who was called up to the Canucks from Abbotsford on Wednesday, will also draw into the line-up against the Dallas Stars.






With Dakota Joshua and Arsheep Bains playing tonight, it appears that Phillip Di Giuseppe and Nils Aman will be the odd men out and be healthy scratches, according to Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 radio.


Joshua, 27, suffered a hand injury during a fight against MacKenzie Entwistle on February 13th against the Chicago Blackhawks. So far this season, he's recorded 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists), 46 penalty minutes and is a plus-16 in 53 games with the Canucks.

As for Arshdeep Bains, this will be his second stint this season in the National Hockey League with Vancouver after making his debut in February against the Colorado Avalanche. In five NHL games, he's gone pointless, with six penalty minutes and is a minus-three, while in 53 games for AHL Abbotsford, Bains has put up 49 points (14 goals, 35 assists).

Puck drop for tonight's game against the Dallas Stars is set for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET on Sportsnet Pacific in the Canucks viewing region.